14:05 Leicester

Saturday 27 April 2024

All13:3014:0514:3715:1215:4516:2016:55

Madri Excepcional King Richard III Cup Handicap

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 1m 52.13s

(9)

Raadobarg^b,t⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: David Egan| T: G Boughey| OR: 105| C| D

5/1

Course winner. Sixteen runs since last win in 2022. Bit below form seventh of 21 in handicap at Newbury (8f, good, 14/1) 7 days ago. Has to be taken seriously.

Form: 5330-37

(7)

Al Mubhir^t¹⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas| OR: 104| CD

7/2

Cheekpieces on for 1st time, 5¼ lengths sixth of 9 to Grey's Monument in listed race (6/1) at Kempton (8f) when last seen in December (gelded since). Cheekpieces now discarded (tongue strap refitted) and should make a bold bid to repeat his 2023 success in this race.

Form: 583936-

(4)

Miss Cantik^h1¹⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Frederick Larson⁽³⁾| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 99| D

22/1

76/10, 8¼ lengths eleventh of 17 to Lady Boba in listed race at Fontainebleau (9.9f, soft), worst of draw. Off 154 days and hooded for this handicap debut.

Form: 11620-

(3)

Dashing Roger⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Marco Ghiani| T: W Stone| OR: 90| CD

13/2

C&D winner. Latest win at Newmarket in November. Twentieth of 21 in handicap (50/1) at Newbury (8f, good) 7 days ago. Will probably find one or two too good.

Form: 5711-70

(6)

Look Back Smiling⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Harry Davies| T: G Tutty| OR: 87| C| D

13/2

Course winner. Three wins from 18 runs last year. Latest win at Doncaster in March. 25/1, below form ninth of 21 in handicap at Newbury (8f, good) 7 days ago, running on. Not one for maximum faith and others look stronger. Also engaged 2.45 Haydock.

Form: 6451-19

(2)

Selwan⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Ian Williams| OR: 87

100/1

Visored for 1st time, seventh of 9 in novice hurdle (25/1) at Doncaster (16.6f, heavy) 66 days ago. First run for yard after leaving Alan King and probably best watched.

Form: 7351/80-

(8)

Thunder Roar³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: Cam Hardie| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 83| BF

7/2

Three wins from 8 runs last year. 5/1, creditable ½-length second of 18 to Look Back Smiling in handicap at Doncaster (8f, heavy) 35 days ago, suited by way race developed. Live each-way chance.

Form: 0311-32

(5)

Magic Memories^t³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Jack Enright⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 80| D

5/1

Winner at Brighton in October. 7/1, respectable 3¾ lengths fifth of 18 to Look Back Smiling in handicap at Doncaster (8f, heavy) 35 days ago, hampered. Merits consideration.

Form: 32413-5

(1)

Big Bear Hug^p⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-2| J: Alice Bond⁽⁷⁾| T: A West| OR: 70| BF| CD

22/1

C&D winner. Latest win at Newmarket in November. Creditable third of 8 in handicap (5/6) at Nottingham (10.2f, heavy) 7 days ago but she has a fair bit to find.

Form: 317-233

Forecasts

Al Mubhir (7/2), Thunder Roar (7/2), Magic Memories (5/1), Raadobarg (5/1), Look Back Smiling (13/2), Dashing Roger (13/2), Miss Cantik (22/1), Big Bear Hug (22/1), Selwan (100/1)

AL MUBHIR was a clear-cut winner of this race 12 months ago and while he's 7 lb higher this time round, the 5-y-o looks the way to go with conditions in his favour. Next on the list is Raadobarg, who was a solid third in the Irish Lincoln on return last month and he probably shouldn't be judged too harshly on his subsequent Newbury defeat. Magic Memories was behind Look Back Smiling and Thunder Roar at Doncaster but he is entitled to come on for that run and is third choice.