17:00 Newbury

Saturday 20 April 2024

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Handicap

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 2m 6.93s

(7)

Sweet Reward¹⁹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 87| C| D

33/1

Better than ever when landing a 7-runner handicap in the mud at Goodwood last August. Signed 2023 campaign off with a poor effort, though, and he was down the field in this race off a 4 lb lower mark 12 months ago.

Form: 171657-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(19)

Polling Day²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 85| D

50/1

Successful both starts for the Gosden yard in 2021 and has performed with credit on 2 of his 4 starts appearances for new connections since returning from a lengthy absence in November. Ran poorly tried in a hood (discarded here) at Lingfield last time, though, and he's opposable on this turf debut.

Form: 11/44-40

(4)

Prince Maxi³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: W Buick| T: George Scott| OR: 84| BF

6/1

Confirmed debut promise (for Richard Hannon) when winning 10-runner novice at Wolverhampton (8.6f) in February. Turned over when odds on upped to 9.5f at the same course next time but that form has been boosted since and he's well worth a second look back on turf with William Buick booked.

Form: 6-12

(1)

Cracksking¹⁹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 84| D

9/2

Opened his account in a Newcastle maiden (10.2f) on final start of 2023, displaying an impressive turn of foot in the process. Gelded since and open to improvement returned to handicap company off what could prove to be a very fair mark.

Form: 342421-

(5)

Mr Mistoffelees²⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: C Lee| T: H Morrison| OR: 84

16/1

Progressive at 2 yrs but he failed to make an impact in 4 starts last season and is opposable back from an 8-month absence (has been gelded).

Form: 51/6709-

(8)

Baltimore Boy¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: James Horton| OR: 83

6/1

More miss than hit last year but he was a winner off this mark at Kempton and put in good late work when fourth of 10 at Kempton (1¼m) on return/debut for new yard recently. One to consider with Jim Crowley again in the hot-seat.

Form: 13068-5

(16)

God Of Thunder²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Alec Voikhansky⁽³⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 83

12/1

Decisive winner at Wolverhampton in November and doubled his tally when striking at Lingfield (1½m, AW) last month. Turf record stands at 0-7 but he's clearly effective on grass and could have a part to play with this drop back in trip unlikely to be an issue. Yard also saddles Graham.

Form: 14-2571

(14)

Gallant Lion²⁰⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A King| OR: 82| CD

9/2

Won 4 handicaps on the bounce at up to 11.6f for Tony Carroll last summer. Form dipped final 2 starts of 2023 campaign but wouldn't be without a chance if able to get back on track starting out for new yard here following a 6-month break.

Form: 111150-

(18)

Entrancement²¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Kyle Strydom| T: D Menuisier| OR: 81| D

20/1

Scored at Goodwood last spring and runner-up twice from her 4 subsequent starts, including over this C&D (heavy) when last seen in September. Yard saddled the winner of this in 2021 and she could have a part to play if ready to roll,

Form: 412072-

(11)

Oj Lifestyle^t²⁰²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: T P Queally| T: G & J Moore| OR: 81| C

40/1

Hasn't managed to add to maiden success here at 2 yrs and while he performed with credit in a first-time tongue strap at Epsom (8.5f, good to firm) on his latest start in October (gelded since), others make more appeal.

Form: 52/4943-

(2)

High Spirited¹⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: T E Whelan| T: H Candy| OR: 80

20/1

Off the mark in a Windsor maiden last spring and encouraging fourth on handicap debut at Ascot in September, despite giving away several lengths at the start. However, she failed to make an impact final 2 starts of last season when again forfeiting ground exiting the stalls.

Form: 3/17480-

(9)

Rascallion⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Mia Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 79| D

100/1

Completed the hat-trick in handicaps for Nick Littmoden in France towards the end of last year. Trailed in last of 16 at Cagnes-Sur-Mer last time, though, and he's probably best watched on this debut for new connections.

Form: 41117-0

(10)

Qaasid^v²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Ryan Sexton| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 78| D

28/1

Three-time winner on the AW and performed with credit when third on sole turf start last season at Newmarket. Reproduction of that form would put him firmly in the picture but now has a bit to prove following a string of no-shows in recent months.

Form: 32-0080

(17)

Graham²³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 78| C

7/1

Left 2-y-o form well behind switched to handicaps last year, winning twice and making the frame 6 times from his 8 starts. Latest success was over 1½m here 7 months ago and 3 lb rise fair enough, so he's a must for the shortlist.

Form: 212241-

(15)

One Step Beyond²⁰⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Anna Gibson⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 77| D

40/1

Ended last season with a couple of heavy defeats but it was otherwise a productive 2023 campaign. This mark doesn't look insurmountable and he'll be a threat if fully tuned-up for this assignment.

Form: 131200-

(12)

Monteria^t¹⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Liam Keniry| T: W S Kittow| OR: 77| D

25/1

Off the mark at Windsor in the early part of last season and resumed winning ways during the autumn at Salisbury (1¼m, heavy). Backed that up when going down narrowly back at Windsor next time and each-way chance, provided he's raring to go following a break.

Form: 073312-

(6)

Galileo's Compass²²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: T Ward| OR: 76

20/1

Placed on a couple of times for Jessica Harrington in Ireland last year, including off a 5 lb higher mark on his handicap debut at Naas (10.5f, good to soft) in August. One to note in the betting on return/debut for new yard with Tom Marquand aboard.

Form: 53035-

(3)

Expressionless^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 72

14/1

Back-to-back winner last April, latterly off a 2 lb higher mark on his handicap debut at Epsom. Best effort since when a never-nearer sixth of 13 at Bath (10.2f, heavy) recently but will need to up his game in order to emerge on top here.

Form: 9067-06

Non-Runners

(13)

Hopeful³⁹

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: A M Balding J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Gallant Lion (9/2), Cracksking (9/2), Prince Maxi (6/1), Baltimore Boy (6/1), Graham (7/1), Hopeful (10/1), God Of Thunder (12/1), Expressionless (14/1), Mr Mistoffelees (16/1), Entrancement (20/1), High Spirited (20/1), Galileo's Compass (20/1), Monteria (25/1), Qaasid (28/1), Sweet Reward (33/1), One Step Beyond (40/1), Oj Lifestyle (40/1), Polling Day (50/1), Rascallion (100/1)

The unexposed CRACKSKING deservedly opened his account at Newcastle in October and, with the promise of better to come, he could be the answer to this competitive handicap. Graham also signed off last season on a winning note and he doesn't look badly treated up 3 lb, while Baltimore Boy could be a threat with his encouraging reappearance fifth at Kempton under his belt. Entrancement is also worthy of consideration.