Pertemps Network Spring Trophy Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 1m 26.54s

(4)

Poet Master²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 105| CD

5/4

C&D winner who continued his progress when smoothly landing 15-runner handicap at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) 23 days ago. Goes up in grade but he's expected to be bang there.

Form: 1181-1

(1)

Pogo¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: R Kingscote| T: C Hills| OR: 109| CD

9/2

Smart performer who made the frame in Criterion Stakes at Newmarket and Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in 2023. Resumed with a creditable fourth of 6 to Charyn in Mile at Sandown 15 days ago so he needs considering.

Form: 03904-4

(5)

Shartash²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Joshua Bryan| T: A Watson| OR: 107| D

6/1

Ended 2023 below par for Johnny Murtagh but changed hands for €150,000 and much improved for new yard (gelded) when readily landing conditions event at Thirsk (7f, heavy) 21 days ago. Firmly in the picture.

Form: 45406-1

(2)

Silver Sword²¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 103

11/1

Useful gelding who bagged a third win of 2023 in 1m York handicap in August. Posted another good effort when runner-up in Darley Stakes at Newmarket (9f, good to soft) final start so in the mix on his return.

Form: 217152-

(6)

Witch Hunter^p¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 113| D

11/2

Smart performer who bagged Buckingham Palace (Handicap) at Royal Ascot and Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury in 2023. Returned with a solid fifth in Mile at Sandown last month. Shortlisted.

Form: 33410-5

(3)

Indian Run²¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: D Tudhope| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 105| D

8/1

Useful juvenile who gained his second success in 7f Group 3 at York in August. Came in last of eight in the Dewhurst at Newmarket after so needs to get back on track on his reappearance.

Form: 3118-

Forecasts

Poet Master (5/4), Pogo (9/2), Witch Hunter (11/2), Shartash (6/1), Indian Run (8/1), Silver Sword (11/1)

Karl Burke's POET MASTER arrives on an upward curve so is fancied to take this step up into listed company in his stride and make it 5-6 on the back of his ready Newmarket handicap victory. Shartash made the perfect start with Archie Watson when scoring at Thirsk on his return and rates the main danger, although in-form duo Witch Hunter and Pogo also command plenty of respect.