14:30 Leicester

Monday 29 May 2023

All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:4817:2517:55

Hope Against Cancer Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 2m 34.65s

(7)

Ciao Adios^b²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Alec Voikhansky⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 57

5/1

Latest win at Southwell in January. Creditable fifth of 13 in handicap at Windsor (10f, soft, 22/1) 28 days ago. Leading claims with good-value apprentice on board.

Form: 512385

(6)

Bobby Kennedy⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: George Bass| T: D J Coakley| OR: 57| D

7/2

Returned to form when second of 14 in handicap (12/1) at Bath (11.6f, soft) 52 days ago. Record away from that track isn't as persuasive and others are preferred.

Form: 3/5998-2

(10)

Marbuzet^b²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Sean Kirrane| T: T D Easterby| OR: 53| D

6/1

Stepped up from reappearance when sixth of 12 in handicap at Ayr (13.1f, good) 21 days ago. Possibly still working his way back to full fitness there and no surprise to see him closer to form this time.

Form: 5813-06

(9)

Sicario^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Frederick Larson| T: M Appleby| OR: 52| D

14/1

Latest win at Southwell in February. 12/1, not disgraced when eighth of 11 in handicap at Catterick (12.1f, good) 14 days ago but others look better treated at present.

Form: 211558

(3)

Boudica Warrior¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Christian Howarth⁽³⁾| T: S Pearce| OR: 52

20/1

Step back in right direction on second start for this yard when fifth of 10 in handicap at Catterick (12.1f, good) 14 days ago but still has work to do.

Form: 9494-85

(4)

Blazer Two¹⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Callum Hutchinson| T: M Scudamore| OR: 52| CD

11/2

Won over C&D last July and holds good chance on pick of form but has never been the easiest to catch right and is probably best watched on return.

Form: 717508-

(5)

Owens Lad^t⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Laura Pearson| T: D Loughnane| OR: 51| D

6/1

Winner at Southwell in February. Refused to settle when tenth of 12 in handicap at Wolverhampton (14f, 17/2) 51 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 67-4190

(2)

Foursome²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Luke Catton⁽³⁾| T: Olly Williams| OR: 48

14/1

Long-standing maiden ran one of his better races when fourth of 9 in handicap at Southwell (12.1f, 8/1) 21 days ago. Others make more appeal for win purposes.

Form: 066964

(11)

Happy Company^p¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: Rhiain Ingram| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 46

7/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2020. 11/2, improved on recent efforts to win 5-runner handicap hurdle at Fontwell (21.8f, good to firm) 1 day ago. Modest on the Flat. Hard to make a case for on Flat record.

Form: 50/069-8

(8)

Urban Forest¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Alex Jary⁽⁷⁾| T: E De Giles| OR: 45

22/1

Remains a maiden after 20 Flat runs. Eighth of 11 in handicap (20/1) at Bath (10.2f, good to firm) 12 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 8854-78

(1)

Topofthetrifle²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs R Ford| OR: 45

125/1

Lightly-raced maiden. 150/1, tenth of 13 in handicap at Windsor (10f, soft) 28 days ago. Hard to fancy,

Form: 3770-0

Forecasts

Bobby Kennedy (7/2), Ciao Adios (5/1), Blazer Two (11/2), Marbuzet (6/1), Owens Lad (6/1), Happy Company (7/1), Sicario (14/1), Foursome (14/1), Boudica Warrior (20/1), Urban Forest (22/1), Topofthetrifle (125/1)

The booking of Alec Voikhansky appeals as a plus for CIAO ADIOS, who can take another step forward from a good recent effort at Windsor. Marbuzet is on a fair mark and should be closer to peak fitness on his third start of the year, with C&D winner Blazer Two also worth a market check on return.