16:10 Newmarket

Saturday 4 May 2024

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3516:1016:4517:1517:50

William Hill Epic Boost Handicap

Off time: 16:17 | Winning time: 2m 34.04s

(9)

Relentless Voyager³¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 103| D

13/2

Landed the odds in great style in a Kempton maiden last March and improved efforts in defeat upped in class/fitted with tongue tie next 2 outings. Well held in King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on final start and has been gelded ahead of reappearance/handicap debut.

Form: 22/1436-

(7)

Real Dream^t²³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 101| D

7/2

Low-mileage sort who hit the target twice last season and ran well in the Mallard Handicap at Doncaster on final outing. Could well have more to offer as a 5-y-o (unraced at 2).

Form: 1/13103-

(1)

Percy Shelley^p1⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95

28/1

Useful performer in France who was successful 3 times in 2022. Hasn't fired in 3 starts for current yard, though it's still early days and he shaped as if better for the run after 6 months off at Doncaster 6 weeks ago. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 13/606-6

(6)

Maxi King¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: David Egan| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 92

6/1

Made light of a 13-month absence as he followed up his Doncaster maiden success in 8-runner handicap at Ripon (9.8f, heavy) 16 days ago, readily. Up in trip and needs to prove himself as effective on less testing ground.

Form: 4433/1-1

(2)

Youthful King²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Aidan Keeley⁽³⁾| T: L A Dace| OR: 92

11/2

Useful sort who again ran well when fifth of 14 in handicap at Kempton (11f) 28 days ago, faring best of those held up. Is at least as effective on turf, so seems highly likely to give another good account.

Form: 56-5345

(3)

To Catch A Thief^p1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 91

8/1

Two wins from 4 starts last season. Had been shaping as if this trip would suit but failed to meet expectations when only tenth of 14 at Thirsk (12f) a fortnight ago, looking awkward off the bridle. Needs to get back on track in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 5311-80

(5)

Knightswood⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 88| D

15/2

Won twice in small fields over 1½m at Ripon last June and proved better than ever when headed close home on reappearance there (12f, heavy) last week. Must be respected turned out again quickly.

Form: 04131-2

(4)

Hope You Can Run^p¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: F Norton| T: C Johnston| OR: 87| D

18/1

Held form well in the first half of last season, deservedly getting his head back in front at Catterick in July. Gelded after and seemed suited by the track on his return at Epsom 11 days ago.

Form: 53321-8

(8)

Geremia⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-6| J: Saffie Osborne| T: I Jardine| OR: 83| D

9/2

Unreliable sort (habitual slow starter) who wasn't beaten at all far over a trip shy of his best at Newcastle (10.2f) 50 days ago. First run for yard after leaving Jim Goldie and will be suited by this step back up in distance.

Form: 60094-3

Forecasts

Real Dream (7/2), Geremia (9/2), Youthful King (11/2), Maxi King (6/1), Relentless Voyager (13/2), Knightswood (15/2), To Catch A Thief (8/1), Hope You Can Run (18/1), Percy Shelley (28/1)

YOUTHFUL KING has been running consistently well of late and, having fared best of those held up on his most recent outing, he gets the nod to come out on top back on turf. Real Dream is a low-mileage 5-y-o who could have more to offer this season, with Knightswood completing the shortlist having returned better than ever at Ripon last week.