17:20 Newmarket

Thursday 18 April 2024

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

Consign With The National Stud Handicap

Off time: 17:23 | Winning time: 1m 22.14s

(11)

Biggles¹⁹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 104| D

12/1

Second in Victoria Cup last spring and took his form up another notch when landing the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket in July. Ended last season in muted fashion, though, and he's probably best watched having since left Ralph Beckett.

Form: 910450-

(2)

Northern Express¹⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 102| D

12/1

Smart and consistent sort landed the Thirsk Hunt Cup and a decent 7f handicap at York last year. Good second off this mark at York when last seen in October and has a sound record fresh, so merits plenty of respect.

Form: 314502-

(6)

Carrytheone^t²²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: M L W Bell| OR: 102| D

25/1

Placed 3 times last season for John Patrick Murtagh, including when third in Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown (1¼ lengths behind Ocean Jewel). Ended the year with a creditable sixth in a big-field Leopardstown handicap but a little bit more is likely needed to defy this mark on yard debut.

Form: 733266-

(12)

Poet Master²¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 100| D

10/3

Made it 3 wins from only 4 starts when comfortable winner of a 7f handicap at the Doncaster St Leger meeting in September. The handicapper hasn't missed him with an 8 lb rise but surprise if this lightly-raced sort doesn't have more to offer.

Form: 1181-

(13)

Misty Grey²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 99| D

10/1

Seventeen runs since last win in 2022 but has been rejuvenated by a stable switch to David O'Meara, sticking to his task when second of 14 in handicap at Newcastle (6f) 20 days ago. Not taken lightly.

Form: 54-7422

(1)

Gorak^p²⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: C Fellowes| OR: 97| D

20/1

Dual winner in the first half of last season but played only a minor role in better-quality handicaps later in the year and still doesn't look particularly well treated.

Form: 407090-

(5)

Percy's Lad¹⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: R Kingscote| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 94

12/1

Winless last season but signed off for the campaign with a decent third in an 11-runner handicap at Wolverhampton (7.2f). Frame claims, but others strike as likelier winners from unchanged mark.

Form: 570203-

(10)

Suviana²³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Alexis Pouchin| T: A Fabre| OR: 94| D

12/1

Useful form when winning 3 times in France last season, including in a 5-runner minor event at Deauville (7f, good to soft) when last seen in August. Rare handicap runner on these shores for top yard rates as a very interesting player.

Form: 2/14141-

(9)

Catch The Paddy¹⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: N Callan| T: K A Ryan| OR: 93| CD

7/1

Progressive for the bulk of last season, getting off the mark when meeting his elders for the first time in C&D handicap in September. Looked a shade tricky when down the field at Kempton last time but overall profile is positive enough to think he's worth another chance.

Form: 062616-

(8)

Havana Blue²²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Ryan Sexton| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 92| CD

28/1

Opened his account in a C&D 7f handicap last May and before following up in good style on the July Course the following month. Held valid excuses when down the field on his final 2 outings last year and he's worth a betting check having since left Clive Cox for 58,000 gns (also gelded).

Form: 281100-

(3)

Farhh To Shy²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Callum Shepherd| T: G G Margarson| OR: 91| CD

12/1

Useful mare who scored over 1m at Ascot (soft) and 7f at Yarmouth last summer. Ended her 2023 campaign with good thirds at Ascot (handicap/listed) and very much shaped as if needing the run when down the field in the Lincoln on return. Others make more appeal on balance.

Form: 51033-0

(15)

Persuasion²¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: Connor Beasley| T: T D Barron| OR: 91| BF| D

28/1

Solid on the whole last campaign, edging down to a career-low mark before winning at Thirsk in September. Reportedly bled when beaten favourite in a Doncaster handicap when last seen and he'll probably need a couple to underperform if he's to make a winning return from a 7-month absence.

Form: 435129-

(14)

Pearle D'or¹⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: J P Spencer| T: D O'Meara| OR: 90| D

8/1

Progressive in the second half of last season, scoring at Ascot in July before doubling his tally for the yard when scoring at Newbury in taking fashion. Arguably shaped best when leading home the unfavoured group at Ascot on final outing and he's very much the type to improve again this year.

Form: 921313-

(4)

Love De Vega⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: David Egan| T: C Johnston| OR: 88| D

14/1

In good form on all-weather this winter, winning twice over 7f at Chelmsford. Shaped as if still in form (met trouble) when seventh of 13 at Newcastle (7f) latest. Equally as effective on turf and he's not ruled out.

Form: 215317

(7)

Security Code⁴¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Hannon| OR: 88| BF

16/1

Raced only 3 times to date, making a winning debut at Wolverhampton in 2021. Off another 10 months before pulling his chance away at Lingfield last February. Has since been gelded and left John & Thady Gosden. Betting can prove a guide.

Form: 12/8-

Forecasts

Poet Master (10/3), Catch The Paddy (7/1), Pearle D'or (8/1), Misty Grey (10/1), Percy's Lad (12/1), Northern Express (12/1), Suviana (12/1), Biggles (12/1), Farhh To Shy (12/1), Love De Vega (14/1), Security Code (16/1), Gorak (20/1), Carrytheone (25/1), Havana Blue (28/1), Persuasion (28/1)

The strong-travelling PEARLE D'OR went like the best horse at the weights when third in the Challenge Cup at Ascot last October and represents a yard who possess an exemplary record with older handicappers, so a chance is taken he'll be able to overcome a high draw to springboard what could be a fruitful season. Northern Express was amongst the most solid handicappers around last term and is respected, whilst the unexposed Poet Master and French raider Suviana are also considered.