15:40 Salisbury

Wednesday 28 June 2023

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

Havana Grey Standing At Whitsbury Manor Handicap

Off time: 15:42 | Winning time: 1m 40.74s

(6)

Helm Rock^t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: R Kingscote| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 92| D

5/2

Registered 3 victories during second half of last year, the latest at Haydock (1m) in September. Has been holding his form well since his return, faring best of those who helped force the pace when fourth at Sandown (1m) 11 days ago. Respected.

Form: 10-0324

(4)

Zozimus^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 88| D

22/1

Useful sort for Donnacha O'Brien in 2021 (fourth in Cambridgeshire at Newmarket that season) before missing last year. Took a step forward from his stable debut when sixth of 8 at Beverley (7.4f) last time and could build on that.

Form: 0485/06

(7)

Top Secret^h¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 86| D

11/2

Won at Kempton on his final 2 starts last year and ran well after 6 months off when second at Newbury (1m) in May. However, failed to come on for his return when down the field back at Newbury (7f) 13 days ago. Could bounce back given his previous form.

Form: 0211-28

(1)

Skysail^b⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D C Costello| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 88| D

4/1

Off the mark at the second attempt at 2 yrs and, in first-time blinkers, showed much improved form when making a successful handicap debut at Goodwood (1m) on his reappearance. Remains unexposed at this trip and he can score again.

Form: 210-1

(3)

Bluelight Bay²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 88

9/1

Fairly useful form last year and, having been gelded, ran better than on his first start this season when mid-field at Epsom at the beginning of the month, though off the bridle a long way out. Needs to find more again, but step up in trip could suit.

Form: 2155-06

(5)

Zu Run⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 88

16/5

Progressed with each outing as a juvenile, off the mark in a Chelmsford novice (7f) on second of 3 starts. Failed to meet expectations on seasonal/handicap debut at York (7f) in May, but it remains early days so he's not one to be writing off.

Form: 512-9

(2)

Swift Lioness¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: J Mitchell| T: C Johnston| OR: 85| D

13/2

Having won twice last year, left her reappearance run behind back down in trip when resuming winning ways at Southwell (8.1f) 15 days ago, staying on to lead final strides. Could still have more to offer so she's not taken lightly.

Form: 4321-41

Forecasts

Helm Rock (5/2), Zu Run (16/5), Skysail (4/1), Top Secret (11/2), Swift Lioness (13/2), Bluelight Bay (9/1), Zozimus (22/1)

In first-time blinkers, SKYSAIL relished the longer trip when making a winning handicap debut at Goodwood on his return and he can follow up with further progress to come. Swift Lioness also arrives on the back of a win last time out and could be the main danger, while Helm Rock can give another good account.