14:10 Newmarket

Saturday 4 November 2023

All11:2011:5212:2713:0213:3714:1014:4715:2215:57

Betfred Play Fred's 5 Million Handicap

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 1m 44.33s

(5)

Metal Merchant²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: David Probert| T: J Channon| OR: 91| D

9/1

Useful performer who shaped well on a couple of occasions before getting his head back in front in a classified race at Ascot (1m, good) a month ago. Clear with an unexposed one and looks on a fair mark now back in a handicap. Acts on heavy.

Form: 035621

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(4)

One Night Thunder¹³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽³⁾| T: G Tutty| OR: 90

66/1

Made a winning debut at Kempton in March and better form when placed next 2 starts switched to turf. Looked harshly dealt with by the assessor when fifth of 6 at Lingfield and he's since left Richard Hannon.

Form: 1325

(3)

Dashing Roger²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: K Shoemark| T: W Stone| OR: 88| D

4/1

Snapped a losing run going back over 2 years when forging clear in mud in a Nottingham handicap 3 weeks ago. 9 lb rise probably enough to prevent the follow up.

Form: 537571

(11)

Raising Sand^p²⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 9-8| J: Nicola Currie| T: J A Osborne| OR: 84| D

33/1

Veteran who showed he's still useful when fourth of 22 in the Spring Mile (heavy) at Doncaster in April but he's been well below that level in his 3 outings since. Bounce back needed.

Form: 8-64095

(10)

Talis Evolvere⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 84| D

9/2

Built on earlier promise when landing 8-runner maiden at Pontefract (8f, good to soft) 44 days ago. Well on top at the finish and this opening mark may well underestimate him.

Form: 3-41

(9)

Carolus Magnus^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Garritty| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 82| CD

16/1

Useful handicapper who has yet to get his head in front for this yard but he has caught the eye on occasions, including when ninth of 24 in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket. Effort flattened out a bit at York since.

Form: 695996

(7)

Alpha Crucis²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: K Stott| T: G & J Moore| OR: 84| D

11/2

Better than ever when winning 10-runner handicap at Goodwood (8f, soft) 3 weeks ago. Found the race developing suitably there and he's up 4 lb in a better race. Will handle the conditions.

Form: 83-1251

(13)

Spirit Genie^p,t¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: J Candlish| OR: 83

28/1

Capitalised on the marked drop in grade to win with any amount in hand in 8-runner seller at Leicester (7f, heavy) 18 days ago. Still looks on stiff mark heading back into handicaps, though.

Form: 27-6881

(14)

King's Code¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: P D Evans| OR: 83| D

17/2

Enjoyed a productive season, taking his tally for the year to 4 in 11-runner handicap at Wolverhampton 12 days ago. Overcame a pace bias in the process so 4 lb higher mark won't prevent another bold bid.

Form: 171311

(6)

City Of York^h⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Shepherd| T: D M Simcock| OR: 82| D

7/1

Is really getting his act together now, beating a subsequent winner at Kempton (1m) in August and nicely on top at the line as he brought up the hat-trick at Newbury 6 weeks ago. Unexposed at this trip and highly unlikely he's reached his limit yet.

Form: 35-U111

(8)

Prince of Zenda^v³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Hayley Turner| T: H Palmer| OR: 81| D

17/2

Found plenty of improvement meeting heavy ground when landing 4-runner minor event at Chester (7.6f) 35 days ago, clearing away approaching the final 1f to win unchallenged. Highly respected back in a handicap.

Form: 332-291

(12)

Magic Memories^t¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: G & J Moore| OR: 80| D

14/1

Took his form up another notch when shedding maiden status in 7-runner handicap at Brighton a fortnight ago. Up 3 lb in a better handicap but he's not yet exposed.

Form: 493241

(2)

Achillea⁵⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: R Havlin| T: D K Ivory| OR: 74| D

40/1

Winner of Racing League handicap at Yarmouth (1m) in July. No impact both starts since and this could be a tough race to bounce back in.

Form: 303199

(1)

Dream Pirate^b¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Marco Ghiani| T: T Kent| OR: 72| BF| D

16/1

Supplemented his Bath success in 14-runner handicap at Bath last month. Cracking effort when second at Yarmouth since so he's clearly in excellent nick.

Form: 064112

Forecasts

Dashing Roger (4/1), Talis Evolvere (9/2), Alpha Crucis (11/2), City Of York (7/1), Prince of Zenda (17/2), King's Code (17/2), Metal Merchant (9/1), Magic Memories (14/1), Dream Pirate (16/1), Carolus Magnus (16/1), Spirit Genie (28/1), Raising Sand (33/1), Achillea (40/1), One Night Thunder (66/1)

TALIS EVOLVERE clearly improved markedly for a gelding operation coupled with the step up to 1m when a taking winner at Pontefract in September and the assessor may have taken a chance with this 3-y-os opening mark. There's plenty of depth to this, with City of York, Kings Code and Prince of Zenda a trio of potential threats.