17:15 Newmarket

Saturday 3 May 2025

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3516:0516:4017:1517:50

Aston Martin 'Confined' Handicap

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 1m 24.46s

(1)

Rogue Diplomat²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Harry Davies| T: James Owen| OR: 86| D

7/2

Showed plenty of dash to get off the mark in a 7f Leicester maiden last month, drawing clear under mostly hand riding. Open to further improvement on handicap debut but this is much more competitive.

Form: 33-1

(6)

Gilet²⁰³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S De Sousa| T: W Greatrex| OR: 83

14/1

Showed improved form on first run in a nursery when runner-up at Newbury (7f) in September and wasn't far off that when only beaten by a less-exposed type on final outing last season. Could well be more to come this season but this looks his toughest test to date.

Form: 722122-

(3)

Beronia^t⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 82| D

14/1

Winner on handicap debut at Ayr (7.2f) last season and reproduced that form on first start this season, shaping as though crying out for a step back up in trip when fourth in a 6f Doncaster handicap 7 days ago. Respected back at 7f.

Form: 33619-4

(10)

Silver Ghost²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Levey| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 81

12/1

Lightly-raced maiden probably needed the run after 7 months off when sixth of 9 in a 7f Newbury handicap last month. Dropped 1 lb but may require further leniency from the handicapper.

Form: 03226-6

(5)

Rockin' The Boat²⁰⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: R L Moore| T: D Menuisier| OR: 80

5/1

Promising debut third behind 2 useful types (second won the Nell Gwyn last month) in a July course maiden last August but failed to build on that in two subsequent starts. Not one to dismiss with Ryan Moore aboard for handicap debut.

Form: 335-

(7)

White Crown Star¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 80| BF| D

4/1

Sea the Stars colt typically travelled strongly when off the mark on stable debut (following wind surgery) at Kempton in March. Improved again when runner-up over C&D last month, though didn't find as much as looked likely off the bridle. Remains one to keep on side.

Form: 735-12

(13)

Solar Army³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Joe Leavy⁽³⁾| T: R A Teal| OR: 79| D

15/2

Has a progressive profile despite not looking altogether straightforward. Found improvement to get off the mark in a 7f Kempton handicap 38 days ago, quickening to settle the race despite carrying his head awkwardly and then idling. Could well be more to come back on turf.

Form: 57622-1

(2)

Nahash²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: James Horton| OR: 76| D

14/1

Found plenty of improvement on handicap debut (following 6 months off) when a clear third in a 7f Southwell handicap last month, not yet looking the finished article (hung left in the home straight). Further progress could be on the cards back on turf.

Form: 310-3

(11)

Hunky Dory²²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 74

15/2

Given a positive ride when running his best race to date on final qualifying run last season, finishing third of 13 in a Kempton novice (7f). May well do better on handicap debut for trainer/jockey combination who won this last year.

Form: 553-

(9)

Louie The Legend¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: George Wood| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 72| D

28/1

Winner of a 7f Chepstow maiden last season but well held in 2 nurseries and a handicap since. Beginning to look exposed and likely faces an uphill task.

Form: 42157-8

(12)

Noble Guest¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: L Morris| T: G G Margarson| OR: 70

12/1

Hasn't been seen to best effect in two starts in handicaps, latest slowly away and hampered early when fifth of 9 over C&D. On a fair mark but this is a much warmer contest.

Form: 7450-55

Non-Runners

(4)

Zabeel Road²⁹⁴

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: J A Osborne J: Saffie Osborne

(8)

Arbitration⁷

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: K R Burke J: C Lee

Forecasts

Rogue Diplomat (7/2), White Crown Star (4/1), Rockin' The Boat (5/1), Solar Army (15/2), Hunky Dory (15/2), Silver Ghost (12/1), Noble Guest (12/1), Arbitration (12/1), Gilet (14/1), Beronia (14/1), Nahash (14/1), Zabeel Road (20/1), Louie The Legend (28/1)

A valuable handicap for the grade and this is very competitive. Despite not looking the most straightforward, SOLAR ARMY progressed again to land a 7f Kempton handicap last time and he remains open to further improvement back on turf. Arbitration has shaped as though this return to 7f should suit and could be lurking on a dangerous mark, while Nahash was much improved on handicap debut and could well have more to offer. Rockin' The Boat, whose debut form is working out, also makes appeal.