17:20 Newmarket

Sunday 4 May 2025

All13:4514:2014:5515:3516:1016:4517:20

Nyetimber Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 17:21 | Winning time: 2m 4.85s

(7)

Naina¹⁹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Christian Howarth⁽³⁾| T: J Ryan| OR: 84| C

50/1

A four-time winner over 7f last season (including at this course). Her limitations were subsequently exposed at Listed/Group 3 level and now steps up markedly in trip in search of further improvement. Tough ask on return to handicap company following 6 months off.

Form: 161186-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(4)

Watching Stars¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 83

11/4

Displayed a willing attitude when off the mark at third attempt in a Thirsk novice (7f) in September. Shaped well when fourth at this course on reappearance after 6 months off (gelded in that time), finding 7f an inadequate test. Looks sure to be suited by this step up in trip. Open to improvement.

Form: 4413-4

(6)

Merchant¹²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 82

11/10

Built up a positive profile in 3 runs at the back end of last year, culminating in an impressive victory (in the circumstances) at Wolverhampton (8.6f), had to wait for a gap and conceded first run, just got up on the line. Looks set to benefit from this longer trip and is unexposed back on turf.

Form: 721-

(5)

Hallelujah U¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Harry Davies| T: James Owen| OR: 79

10/1

Pinatubo colt who improved with each of his 3 starts as a juvenile, signing campaign off with a narrow success in 1m Southwell novice in November. Again stepped forward on handicap debut when third in a C&D handicap last month. Should give another positive account but may again find a few too good.

Form: 651-3

(2)

General Admission⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 78

7/1

Lightly-raced maiden has improved on his last couple of outings at Southwell, well-positioned off a modest tempo when fourth in a 1m novice 50 days ago. Step up in trip will need to yield some improvement on turf debut.

Form: 2-424

(1)

Sir Paul Ramsey²⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Shepherd| T: C Johnston| OR: 77

25/1

Probably wasn't seen to best effect faced with inadequate tests over 7f/1m as a juvenile last season. Now gelded he should be better suited by this longer trip over a galloping track, though he's faced with a warm contest on handicap debut.

Form: 354-

(3)

Lightening Mann^t¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: J Channon| OR: 77| BF

15/2

Kameko gelding has shown much improved form stepped up in trip/fitted with a tongue tie. Travelled powerfully when third of 6 in a 10f Beverley handicap last month, although his response off the bridle was somewhat underwhelming. That was still a career best and there may yet be more to come.

Form: 75-123

Forecasts

Merchant (11/10), Watching Stars (11/4), General Admission (7/1), Lightening Mann (15/2), Hallelujah U (10/1), Sir Paul Ramsey (25/1), Naina (50/1)

The progressive MERCHANT did remarkably well to win from an unpromising position at Wolverhampton in December and is thoroughly unexposed over this longer trip back on turf. He's preferred to Lightening Mann who travelled powerfully when third at Beverley last time and despite finding less than looked likely, he's worth another chance. Best of the rest may be Watching Stars who shaped well on reappearance at this course last month and should find this stiffer test much more to his liking.