14:25 Newbury

Saturday 22 July 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Mettal UK Handicap

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 3m 36.54s

(5)

Postileo³²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 98

8/1

Few miles on the clock for a 6-y-o and well prepared on back of 19 months off (also gelded) to score at Hamilton (13f) in May. Faded out of things when sixth in Copper Horse handicap (14f) at Royal Ascot 32 days ago and this mark demands a little more.

Form: 2471/16

(11)

Euchen Glen¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 9-12| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 98| C| D

16/1

Several big wins in his long career and confirmed himself still capable of useful form aged 10 when fourth in handicap at Ayr (13f) last month. Never figured off steady gallop in Old Newton Cup at Haydock latest but he may just be vulnerable to one or two in any case here.

Form: 65-4040

(2)

The Grand Visir^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-11| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 97| D

25/1

Stepped up on his comeback in Chester Cup when eighth in Ascot Stakes and, turned out 4 days later, ran a cracker to finish second in Queen Alexandra (21.6f), keeping on well again final 100 yds. Losing run stretches back over 4 years, however.

Form: 6/69-982

(13)

Stay Well^h²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Rob Hornby| T: H Morrison| OR: 95

40/1

Returned to form back on AW when third at Kempton (12f) in June. Made his move earlier than ideal (also took strong hold) when weakening out of things in Duke of Edinburgh handicap (12f) 4 weeks ago but stamina to prove up significantly in trip.

Form: 955-830

(12)

Solent Gateway^p,t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Ross Coakley| T: H Palmer| OR: 95| D

40/1

Useful staying handicapper. Bagged second victory of 2023 granted the run of the race at Haydock (16.2f) in May but unable to replicate that in stronger company when ninth in Ascot Stakes 920f) 32 days ago. Handicapper probably has him about right.

Form: 347619

(10)

Novel Legend³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: W Buick| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 94| CD

7/2

Improving 4-y-o who followed up his AW reappearance success when forging clear to land a C&D handicap in April. Has shaped well in defeat both starts since, likely to have been suited by a stronger gallop when seventh in last month's Ascot Stakes (20f). Remains one to keep on side.

Form: 12-1127

(1)

Rainbow Dreamer^p²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-6| J: David Probert| T: A King| OR: 92| C| D

50/1

Grand servant to connections who was well suited by the strong pace when back to winning ways in AW conditions' event in April. Kept fresh and ran as well as could be expected when sixth in Northumberland Plate but suspicion he'll be vulnerable to younger rivals once more.

Form: 12-2716

(9)

Apparate⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 91

14/1

Very low-mileage 7-y-o who ran a cracker on first outing since leaving Roger Varian after 20 months off (sold for 55,000 gns) when close second at Doncaster 7 weeks ago. Completely unexposed at this trip so worth a second look in hope he can back that up.

Form: 07153/2

(8)

Aztec Empire²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 90| D

14/1

Pair of AW wins at up to 2m at Kempton this year and big effort to finish third under this pilot in the Northumberland Plate on his latest outing 21 days ago. Remains lightly raced on turf (ground an excuse over C&D in May) and rider takes off valuable 3 lb again.

Form: 141663

(4)

Nathanael Greene^b1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 88| BF

5/1

Mainly on the up last season (a dual winner at up to 14f) and hard to knock his efforts in defeat so far this campaign, shaping as if suited by step up to 2m when fourth in Northumberland Plate. First-time blinkers could put an extra edge on him here.

Form: 140-544

(14)

Sweet William^b¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 88

5/2

Son of Sea The Stars who finished runner-up first 3 starts and didn't need to improve to open his account in first-time blinkers at Doncaster (11.9f) 15 days ago, heavily eased when clear. Highly likely there's more to come now handicapping up in trip off this mark. Big shout.

Form: 22-21

(3)

Geremia¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: C Lee| T: J S Goldie| OR: 86| D

17/2

Habitual slow starter but he is proving consistent, picking up second win of the campaign when getting on top late in the day at Ayr (13f) 12 days ago. Return to further will hold no fears but this a good deal more demanding.

Form: 3-41361

(6)

Hadrianus²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: C Johnston| OR: 101

16/1

AW maiden winner in December who has improved in a higher grade this year, third in Goodwood listed event (11.2f) in May. Handicapper took no chances with opening mark but matched previous best when midfield in Northumberland Vase 21 days ago. Handy 3-y-o allowance a plus here.

Form: 1-23307

Non-Runners

(15)

Zinc White³²

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: Ian Williams J: Jim Crowley

(7)

Cormier⁸

Weight: 8-11| Age: 7

T: B Ellison J: Ben Robinson

Forecasts

Sweet William (5/2), Novel Legend (7/2), Nathanael Greene (5/1), Postileo (8/1), Geremia (17/2), Aztec Empire (14/1), Apparate (14/1), Euchen Glen (16/1), Hadrianus (16/1), Zinc White (16/1), Cormier (20/1), The Grand Visir (25/1), Solent Gateway (40/1), Stay Well (40/1), Rainbow Dreamer (50/1)

A half-brother to St Leger/Irish Derby winner Hurricane Lane, SWEET WILLIAM opened his account in a canter in a 6-runner Doncaster novice (11.9f) 15 days ago and, with his opening mark looking very appealing, he's fancied to make a bold bid quickly upped to 2m on handicap debut. Novel Legend continues to shape well and is feared, along with Northumberland Plate fourth Nathaniel Greene, who sports first-time blinkers.