16:48 Leicester

Monday 29 May 2023

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

King Power Handicap

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 1m 11.92s

(8)

Striking Star⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 88| BF

15/8

Found only one too good once more, but again ran well when second of 13 in handicap at Newmarket (7f, good, 6/4) 9 days ago. Can make his presence felt.

Form: 19-222

(9)

Lakota Blue¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Faye McManoman| T: N Tinkler| OR: 87| D

11/1

Latest win at Ripon in April. Not seen to best effect when eighth of 11 in handicap at Chester (6.1f, heavy, 11/2) 19 days ago, though didn't really pick up once in the clear. Needs to resume his progress.

Form: 119-618

(6)

The Big Board²⁰³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Alec Voikhansky⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 85| BF| CD

20/1

C&D winner. Off just 6 days, below form fourth of 9 in minor event at Wolverhampton (5.1f, 10/11) when last seen in November. Could get involved if ready to go after 6 months off.

Form: 312224-

(1)

Safari Dream²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R Coakley| T: B R Millman| OR: 84

17/2

After 7 months off (gelded), ran creditably when third of 6 in handicap at Goodwood (5f, heavy, 11/2) 23 days ago, staying on again final 1f. Should be suited by the return to 6f.

Form: 01110-3

(10)

Carmela¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: C Lee| T: D Loughnane| OR: 83

20/1

Looked very rusty after 8 months off when fifth of 10 in handicap at Chester (5.1f, heavy, 10/1) 19 days ago, badly outpaced before staying on final 1f. May just find others better handicapped.

Form: 18570-5

(2)

Brooklyn Nine Nine^p1³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 82| D

4/1

Shaped well on handicap debut when head second of 10 to Lakota Blue at Ripon (6f, heavy, 11/4) 30 days ago, getting the hang of things late. Can resume winning ways with cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 22-12

(7)

Cruise¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Ollie Sangster| OR: 80| D

13/2

Off the mark in convincing fashion when making all in 10-runner maiden at Southwell (6.1f, 1/2) 18 days ago. Will need to find more back in handicap company.

Form: 468-221

(3)

Mehme²³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Dane O'Neill| T: R Hannon| OR: 80| D

22/1

Won maiden at Salisbury and nursery at Newmarket last year. 33/1, stiff task on final outing of season when 6¾ lengths sixth of 8 to Alpha Capture in listed race at York (6f, good to soft). Off 7 months.

Form: 55116-

(4)

Grenham Bay²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 78| D

12/1

Improved further when making a successful handicap debut in 10-runner event at Salisbury (6f, good to soft, 3/1) 25 days ago, digging deep. Not taken lightly in his hat-trick bid.

Form: 35-411

(5)

Fox Master¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Marco Ghiani| T: R Varian| OR: 76| D

11/1

Made a successful debut at Newcastle in January. After 3 months off, failed to improve when third of 6 on turf/handicap debut at Ascot (6f, soft, 9/2) 17 days ago. It still remains early days, though.

Form: 153

Forecasts

Striking Star (15/8), Brooklyn Nine Nine (4/1), Cruise (13/2), Safari Dream (17/2), Fox Master (11/1), Lakota Blue (11/1), Grenham Bay (12/1), The Big Board (20/1), Carmela (20/1), Mehme (22/1)

BROOKLYN NINE NINE still looked inexperienced when runner-up on his handicap debut at Ripon a month ago, but he got the hang of things late and can build on that effort (with cheekpieces on first-time) to resume winning ways. Striking Star has finished second on all 3 starts this year and can be thereabouts once more, with Grenham Bay also respected in his hat-trick bid.