16:45 Newbury

Saturday 18 May 2024

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

OCS Handicap (Str)

Off time: 16:47 | Winning time: 1m 36.0s

(5)

Stephensons Rocket¹⁸¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽³⁾| T: Craig Benton| OR: 105| D

40/1

Very smart performer in his pomp in Hong Kong but wasn't at his best in a Sha Tin Group 2 when last seen in November and opposable on British/handicap debut for new connections.

Form: 8/94409-

(3)

Sonny Liston²¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 105

10/1

Just the one win to his name following 14 career starts but performed with credit on several occasions in big handicaps last year, not least when runner-up in the Royal Hunt Cup last summer. Only ninth in this race 12 months ago but will finish a lot closer this time round if ready to roll.

Form: 205426-

(1)

Biggles³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 102| C

14/1

Second in Victoria Cup last spring and took his form up another notch when landing the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket in July. Ended last season in muted fashion but should come on for his reappearance/yard debut on the Rowley Mile and shapes as though worth another crack at this trip.

Form: 10450-7

(4)

Talis Evolvere²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon| OR: 100| D

9/2

Successful twice on the AW during the winter and further progress when landing a valuable Newcastle handicap in March. Continued the good work returned to turf when third in the 21-runner C&D Spring Cup won by Metal Merchant and he has to enter calculations with Ryan Moore aboard.

Form: 2-12013

(6)

Tempus⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: L Morris| T: A Watson| OR: 99| CD

25/1

Successful twice in Group company in 2022 and though generally below par last year, he proved that plenty of ability remains when runner-up in a listed contest at Kempton in December. However, he was well held in the Newcastle handicap won by Talis Evolvere last time and needs to bounce back.

Form: 572-450

(12)

Slipofthepen³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 97| BF| D

14/1

Impressive winner of first 2 starts prior to finishing a disappointing third when odds on for a 4-runner listed event at Sandown last May. First run since when down the field in a Newmarket handicap (1m, good) last month but that run will have blown away the cobwebs and he remains with potential.

Form: 1/13-0

(2)

Metal Merchant²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: David Probert| T: J Channon| OR: 96| CD

6/1

Useful performer who was well prepared and improved on his 3-y-o form to make a winning return in the C&D Spring Cup last month, repelling the late challenge of Godwinson with Talis Evolvere back in third and Terwada trailing in last. 5 lb rise fair enough and another bold show anticipated.

Form: 56210-1

(10)

Godwinson²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 92| BF

7/4

Saxon Warrior colt who looked a good prospect when landing 9f maiden at Hamilton last June. Wasn't seen to best effect on final start of truncated 2023 campaign and firmly back on track when ½-length second to Metal Merchant over C&D last month. Still unexposed and may well go one better this time.

Form: 315-2

(7)

Terwada²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: E Walker| OR: 92| D

14/1

Quickly made into a useful performer in 2023, winning over 1m at Nottingham and Newmarket last summer. Well held in the Cambridgeshire on final run of last season (subsequently gelded), though, and reappearance display in the Spring Cup here was even worse.

Form: 41170-0

(11)

Autumn Festival¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Alex Jary⁽⁵⁾| T: E De Giles| OR: 90| D

50/1

Prolific in 2022 and capitalised on a drop in the weights when adding to his tally at Beverley last September. Performed well above market expectations (sent off at 50/1) when third on return/debut for new yard in the Thirsk Hunt Cup but it's likely that a few of these are better treated at present.

Form: 12029-3

(8)

Two Tempting¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: T E Whelan| T: J G Portman| OR: 88| D

20/1

Largely consistent in 2023 and has resumed in top form, bagging 1m handicaps at Chelmsford and Ascot, both over this trip. Another personal best will be needed if he's to complete the hat-trick here but 3 lb nudge for latest success is easy to swallow and he should give it a good shot.

Form: 4883-11

(9)

Aalto¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 88

11/1

Useful in France and while his first 2 runs for this yard were hardly inspiring, he resumed with a fine second in a big-field handicap at Newmarket (1m) a fortnight ago. Won't be far away if able to build on that. Also engaged 3.15 Newmarket.

Form: 4/3107-2

Forecasts

Godwinson (7/4), Talis Evolvere (9/2), Metal Merchant (6/1), Sonny Liston (10/1), Aalto (11/1), Slipofthepen (14/1), Terwada (14/1), Biggles (14/1), Two Tempting (20/1), Tempus (25/1), Stephensons Rocket (40/1), Autumn Festival (50/1)

It was ultimately residual greenness that got the better of GODWINSON when second to Metal Merchant in the C&D Spring Cup and, likely to be both sharper and a little more street-wise this time, he is taken to reverse those placings. Metal Merchant should be in the mix once more and, provided he is raring to go following a break, Sonny Liston will also be a threat. Talis Evolvere was third in the Spring Cup and again has each-way claims, while Slipofthepen remains of interest.