19:10 Kempton

Wednesday 4 December 2024

All16:1016:4017:1017:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:10

Unibet Hyde Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 19:13 | Winning time: 1m 37.56s

(7)

Holloway Boy⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 110| D

12/1

First success since taking the 2022 Chesham on debut when winning Haydock Group 3 in September. Shaped as if still in good form when tenth in 20-runner Balmoral Handicap at Ascot (1m) 46 days ago and he's not discounted returned to listed level.

Form: 523310

(9)

Dear My Friend⁸¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: C Johnston| OR: 101| D

14/1

Really smart on AW with a 4-5 strike-rate. Operating below best on turf this summer, last of 14 in handicap at Doncaster (1m, good) 81 days ago but return to synthetics in his favour and his record fresh another positive.

Form: 085300

(5)

Flight Plan⁸¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 105| D

18/1

Group 2 winner at Leopardstown last year but largely out of sorts this year, including when ninth of 11 in Solonaway Stakes back at Leopardstown (1m) in September. Form figures on synthetics read 1-2 however and another who could well bounce back.

Form: 050479

(8)

Poker Face⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Harry Davies| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 109| D

9/4

Smart sort who ran well when second in Group 2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket in September. Clearly not 100% when tailed-off last of 12 behind Charyn in Group 1 company a month later but no surprise to see him bounce back returned to calmer waters.

Form: 7P2420

(3)

Popmaster¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: H Crouch| T: E Walker| OR: 103| C

8/1

Smart gelding. Course winner. 22/1, very good short-head second of 14 to Roi De France in handicap at this C&D 14 days ago, suited by emphasis on speed and edged out only in the final strides. This tougher back up in grade.

Form: 056002

(6)

Whitcombe Rockstar^t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 96| CD

11/1

Real success story in handicaps making it 6 wins from last 7 starts when landing 14-runner C&D contest 6 weeks ago, well positioned. This comfortably his toughest ask to date, however.

Form: 101111

(2)

Roi De France¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 100| CD

13/8

Low-mileage colt who posted a borderline smart performance when winning 14-runner handicap (evens) at this C&D 14 days ago by short head from Popmaster, deserving of extra credit after conceding first run. Of interest with further progress anticipated.

Form: 2-21201

(1)

Samuel Colt²¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Levey| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 105| BF

16/1

Landed a big-field Curragh maiden (6f) on sole start as a 2-y-o. Useful efforts both starts in defeat during the spring, third in listed event back at the Curragh (1m) in May. Since joined new connections for 60,000 gns and he could yet have more to offer.

Form: 1-23

(4)

Alshinfarah⁴⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: K P De Foy| OR: 99

33/1

Looked a good prospect in landing her first two starts and posted an excellent third in French Group 3 15 months ago. Subsequent absence a concern but she remains lightly raced and could yet have more to offer. Market may prove a useful guide.

Form: 113-

Forecasts

Roi De France (13/8), Poker Face (9/4), Popmaster (8/1), Whitcombe Rockstar (11/1), Holloway Boy (12/1), Dear My Friend (14/1), Samuel Colt (16/1), Flight Plan (18/1), Alshinfarah (33/1)

ROI DE FRANCE got back on the up and justified good support in the process when landing a C&D handicap 2 weeks ago, doing well under the circumstances having conceded first run. He gets the nod now tackling listed company, with Poker Face and Dear My Friend heading up the dangers.