15:30 Leicester

Tuesday 6 June 2023

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3517:05

Ivan Ayris 70th Birthday June 1st Handicap

Off time: 15:32 | Winning time: 1m 25.12s

(8)

Maxi Boy⁴⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M L W Bell| OR: 87| BF

7/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2019. 4/1, creditable second of 7 in handicap at Yarmouth (7f, good) when last seen in September 2021 (gelded since). Subsequent absence an obvious concern but would be a big player if resuming at the top of his game.

Form: 5272/42-

(9)

Golden Spice⁸⁷

14/1

C&D winner. Last of 10 in handicap at Chelmsford City (7f, 18/1) 87 days ago. Since undergone a wind op and she looks vulnerable in this competitive race.

Form: 10720-0

(7)

Ernie's Valentine^p,t¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: P & O Cole| OR: 84| C

13/2

Course winner. Respectable third of 9 in handicap (12/1) at Goodwood (7f, good to firm) 11 days ago, nearest finish. Not taken lightly off 1 lb lower here with Tom Marquand aboard.

Form: 8226-73

(2)

Amber Island^p1¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Laura Pearson⁽³⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 84| CD

28/1

C&D winner. Twelfth of 15 in handicap at Thirsk (7f, good, 40/1) 17 days ago, merely passing beaten rivals. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 83-7490

(3)

Above^t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Marco Ghiani| T: S C Williams| OR: 84| D

9/2

Eleven runs since last win in 2021. Below form thirteenth of 21 in handicap (28/1) at Newmarket (6f, soft) 31 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Needs to bounce back but dangerous to discount having slipped to an attractive mark.

Form: 028-570

(1)

Thapa VC^t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: David Egan| T: M G Rimell| OR: 77| D

4/1

Seven wins from 23 Flat runs. 13/2, career best when winning 9-runner handicap at Yarmouth (7f, good to firm) 13 days ago, well ridden. More on his plate up 3 lb in stronger race.

Form: 0741-51

(4)

Touchwood¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Billy Loughnane⁽³⁾| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 76

4/1

Creditable third of 8 in handicap at Ayr (7.2f, good to firm, 11/1) 14 days ago, slowly away. Each-way chance with Billy Loughnane aboard.

Form: 762-033

(6)

Royal Musketeer¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: P J McDonald| T: Steph Hollinshead| OR: 73| D

9/2

13/2, good second of 8 in handicap at Newmarket (7f, good) 19 days ago. By no means certain to confirm the placings with the third, Makeen, but likely to give another good account all the same.

Form: 60467-2

Non-Runners

(5)

Makeen¹⁹

Weight: 9-4| Age: 6

T: Miss J A Camacho J: Ryan Sexton

Forecasts

Makeen (7/2), Thapa VC (4/1), Touchwood (4/1), Above (9/2), Royal Musketeer (9/2), Ernie's Valentine (13/2), Maxi Boy (7/1), Golden Spice (14/1), Amber Island (28/1)

Compensation awaits MAKEEN, who surely would've won had he got the breaks at Newmarket, an effort which suggests that he's in top form. Ernie's Valentine put in good late work when third at Goodwood last time and, likely to benefit from the return to a stiffer track (sole turf win was gained here as a 2-y-o), he looks a big threat. Maxi Boy is also feared, despite the lengthy absence, and Royal Musketeer, who was a place ahead of the unlucky-in-running Makeen at Newmarket, also has claims.