16:40 Salisbury

Wednesday 28 June 2023

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

Showcasing Standing At Whitsbury Manor Bibury Cup Handicap

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 2m 34.20s

(1)

Galactic Jack^p1,t³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 88

12/1

Goodwood maiden winner last autumn but his limitations have seemingly been exposed at Group 3/listed level since, last of 6 behind Gregory there (11.2f, good to firm) 33 days ago. No chances taken with opening mark on handicap debut.

Form: 316-656

(4)

Maasai Mara^b²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 87

9/4

Has reacted well to blinkers, winning an 11f Kempton novice and a 1¼m handicap at Ascot this spring. Ran creditably under a more patient ride at Epsom earlier this month and he holds solid frame claims again.

Form: 24-1214

(5)

Nader King²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 84

9/2

Chased home Derby runner-up King of Steel at Nottingham on latter start at 2 yrs before landing maiden there on return. Perhaps found ground quick enough for him when third of 6 in handicap at Newbury (10f, firm, 3/1) 21 days ago and he remains likely to progress.

Form: 62-13

(3)

Baltic Voyage⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 82

7/2

Fairly useful form at 2 yrs but failed to justify support when eighth of 11 in handicap (5/1) at York (11.8f, firm) 41 days ago, shaping as if he'd come on for the run. Could do better with that now under his belt.

Form: 0444-8

(8)

Gozo^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: B Brookhouse| OR: 81

9/1

Trained by Ian Williams at 2 yrs and showed much improved form on stable/handicap debut with an excellent short-head second of 5 in handicap at Haydock (10.2f, firm, 9/1) 14 days ago, edged out by a thriving sort and finishing clear of rest. Can go well again.

Form: 443-2

(6)

Enochdhu⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: J G Portman| OR: 80

9/1

Won in ready fashion at Windsor in May and ran at least as well stepped up in trip when second of 4 in handicap at Sandown (14f, good to soft) 43 days ago. Mark looks to have him about right at present, though.

Form: 711-412

(7)

Raintown²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Charles Bishop| T: J S Moore| OR: 77

28/1

Enjoyed a productive 2-y-o campaign on the AW, completing the hat-trick on New Year's Eve. Hard to judge his achievements on turf so far this year, mid-field in the London Gold Cup before failing to handle firm ground at Newbury last time. Has slipped back to last winning mark.

Form: 111-705

(2)

Krona¹²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Johnston| OR: 76| D

13/2

Much improved for a step up in trip when bolting up on handicap debut at Kempton in February before following up under a penalty at Southwell 6 days later. 10 lb higher again but is almost certain to continue progressing and she has to be taken seriously switched back to turf.

Form: 608-11

Forecasts

Maasai Mara (9/4), Baltic Voyage (7/2), Nader King (9/2), Krona (13/2), Gozo (9/1), Enochdhu (9/1), Galactic Jack (12/1), Raintown (28/1)

A competitive 3-y-o handicap, with the bottom-weight KRONA fancied to land the hat-trick after completing a quickfire double on AW in February. Gozo took a significant step forward on his handicap debut at Haydock last time and is feared most, with Nader King also open to progress stepped up further in trip.