16:10 Newbury

Saturday 18 May 2024

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

HKJC World Pool Handicap

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 1m 9.50s

(6)

Willem Twee¹⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 105| D

6/1

Smart gelding who took his form up another notch when landing a 6f listed event under Oisin Murphy at Lingfield in November. Perhaps just needed the run 3 months later when third of 6 in a similar event there (6f, AW) in February and not seen since. Lots to like back in handicap company.

Form: 72/011-3

(1)

Juan Les Pins⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Frederick Larson⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 103| CD

12/1

C&D winner a couple of years ago but not firing at present, however, his latest effort following a break at Newcastle (6f) 6 days ago is easy to strike a line through (left poorly placed). Others make more appeal.

Form: 43-2897

(10)

Rumstar⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: T E Whelan| T: J G Portman| OR: 102| D

20/1

Progressive 3-time winner as a juvenile, landing Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes. Some good efforts in face of some fairly stiff tasks last term but having been gelded, was well held after 6 months off in a handicap at Bath (5f, heavy) just under 6 weeks ago. Return to firmer ground a plus.

Form: 56U07-0

(5)

Ferrous⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: J Channon| OR: 98| D

4/1

Contested some deep 3-y-o handicaps last season and showed improved form to make a winning return at Wolverhampton (6.1f) in March. Followed up from 5 lb higher in the style of an upwardly-mobile sprinter at Kempton (6f) 6 weeks ago and looks one to keep firmly onside.

Form: 3159-11

(7)

Wiltshire²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95| CD

5/2

Doubled his career tally on final start for Freddie & Martyn Meade (sold for 92,000 gns) and showed that he's improved some more since (gelded) when winning 16-runner handicap at this C&D (good to soft) last month, value for plenty extra. Better still to come, he looks a major player.

Form: 1/5501-1

(3)

Lethal Levi^b1³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 91| BF| D

15/2

Failed to score last term but posted some good efforts in defeat, including when fourth of 17 in handicap at Ascot (7f, good to firm) in October. Failed to come on for his reappearance when down the field at York (6f, good) on Wednesday and first-time blinkers are reached for.

Form: 7494-80

(12)

Under The Twilight³³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: R Kingscote| T: M Blake| OR: 90| D

12/1

Won 3 times last year and picked up from where she left off 6 months prior when landing 12-runner handicap at Windsor (6f, good) last month, confirming herself a useful mare. 4 lb rise to contend with and will need another career best to take this.

Form: 98251-1

(4)

Gisburn¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: W Buick| T: R Hannon| OR: 89| CD

11/1

Snapped a lengthy losing run at Goodwood last October and after a couple of below-par performances this year, turned in best effort of the season so far when third of 8 at same course (6f, heavy) just over 2 weeks ago. Overall profile suggests he's far from certain to build on it, however.

Form: 123-703

(11)

United Approach³⁸⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: J P Spencer| T: J Tate| OR: 88| D

12/1

Confirmed debut promise in good style when getting off the mark at Ayr in September 2022. Impressive in defying a penalty 7 months on at Doncaster (6f, heavy) last April and has clearly had his issues not to have been seen since. Market check needed on handicap bow.

Form: 51/1-

(8)

Woolhampton^b¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Jack Enright⁽⁷⁾| T: B R Millman| OR: 85| D

28/1

Goes well at Ascot and back in headgear, got right back on track with her reappearance under her belt when winning 8-runner handicap there (5f, good) 17 days ago. Was competitive from this sort of mark last summer and no reason why she won't be again.

Form: 3247-41

(9)

Mitrosonfire¹³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-5| J: S De Sousa| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 84| D

18/1

Long time without success (nineteen runs) and didn't seem to be in top form when last seen on the all-weather over the winter. His mark is as low as it's been for almost 2 years, but the percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 39647-5

Non-Runners

(2)

Significantly¹⁴

Weight: 9-10| Age: 6

T: Miss J A Camacho J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Wiltshire (5/2), Ferrous (4/1), Willem Twee (6/1), Lethal Levi (15/2), Significantly (10/1), Gisburn (11/1), United Approach (12/1), Under The Twilight (12/1), Juan Les Pins (12/1), Mitrosonfire (18/1), Rumstar (20/1), Woolhampton (28/1)

William Haggas' new recruit WILTSHIRE put himself in line for some of the top sprint handicaps when scoring over C&D last month (value for much more than the head winning margin), and with further improvement on the cards, he's fancied to notch his fourth career success at the expense of Ferrous, who looks an upwardly-mobile sprinter and arrives on a hat-trick. Willem Twee and the returning United Approach are another couple worth keeping a close eye on, too.