14:25 Newbury

Friday 16 May 2025

All13:5514:2515:0015:3316:0516:4517:2017:55

Titan Wealth Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 2m 2.86s

(4)

Kind Of Kiss²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: K P De Foy| OR: 88| BF| D

16/1

Lightly-raced 4-y-o who produced his most encouraging effort yet for present yard when fourth of 14 in handicap at Lingfield (10f, AW) 28 days ago, faring best of those held up. One to bear in mind back on turf.

Form: 10-7034

(10)

Gloucestershire¹⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: S M Levey| T: M Meade| OR: 88

16/1

Rejoined present yard on the back of just one run for Richard Hannon and not disgraced when 1¾ lengths fourth of 8 to Prometeo in handicap at Southwell (11.1f) in November. Absent since but his record fresh is a positive and operating from a mark he can be competitive from.

Form: 342/374-

(2)

Burrito²³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 87| BF| D

3/1

Looked a very good prospect when accounting for a quartet of last-time-out winners on debut at Newmarket (10f) last June. Softer ground/tighter track probably not ideal when second at Chester in September and he remains with definite potential now handicapping on return. Has been gelded.

Form: 12-

(12)

Nap Hand⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: A King| OR: 86| CD

14/1

Successful twice on turf last term, latterly in a heavy ground C&D contest in October. Campaigned over hurdles more recently, placed twice prior to needing stiffer test when fifth of 6 in handicap hurdle at this course (16.3f, soft) 76 days ago. Each-way claims back on the level.

Form: 341419-

(8)

Prometeo¹⁸⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: M Botti| OR: 86| D

16/1

Progressed nicely as a 3-y-o, career-best display when bringing up the hat-trick in 8-runner handicap at Southwell (11.1f) in November. 3 lb rise for that looks fair and respected on return given he's well proven under these conditions.

Form: 153111-

(7)

Sovereign Sea⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian| OR: 85

14/1

Debut winner at Newcastle (1m) in November and found only one too good all 3 starts since, latest in 8-runner handicap at Southwell (1m) in March. That confirmed his opening mark is a fair one and there could be more to come given connections now upped in trip.

Form: 1-222

(14)

Royal Approval⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 84| D

9/1

Son of Cracksman who showed a tidy turn of foot when landing a second career success in 1¼m Newcastle handicap in February. Excuses next time and not disgraced when ninth of 16 in handicap at Doncaster (10.2f) 7 weeks ago. Still, others appeal more on balance.

Form: 81-6109

(3)

Eagle Day⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Shepherd| T: P D Evans| OR: 83

66/1

4-time winner during a busy 2024 who proved no more tractable than of late but still managed to better recent efforts when close-up fifth of 10 in handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f) 46 days ago, having benefit of enterprising ride. Likely to find this a lot tougher.

Form: 492685

(11)

Sweet Reward³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 83| CD

11/1

Fallen in the weights following a winless 2024 and he capitalised when taking 14-runner C&D handicap on seasonal bow 5 weeks ago, by ½ length from Yokohama. Remains with handicapping scope nudged up 5 lb and not ruled out for stable in good form.

Form: 35744-1

(6)

Silent Age²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Jim Crowley| T: Ian Williams| OR: 83

14/1

Successful on 2 of his 4 starts for Charlie Appleby as a 3-y-o and not disgraced in handful of AW outings since joining new yard, not beaten far when seventh of 14 in handicap at Lingfield (10f, AW) 28 days ago, needing stronger gallop. Worth another crack at this sort of trip.

Form: 64-6747

(1)

Beauld As Brass⁶^{(ex 10)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: P Cosgrave| T: George Baker| OR: 73| D

8/1

Quirky sort who comes here absolutely thriving, readily bringing up the 4-timer in 5-runner handicap at Leicester (11.8f, firm, 11/4) 6 days ago. Slow starting is a cause for concern, not least in this much stronger company but hard to rule out in present groove despite double penalty.

Form: 52-1111

(15)

Into Battle²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: H Crouch| T: E Walker| OR: 80| BF

8/1

Fairly useful performer who was successful at Epsom on reappearance last season and placed on a couple of times thereafter. Better than he could show when fourth on return at Haydock (10.2f) 3 weeks ago and there's a handicap in him from this mark.

Form: 53936-4

(9)

Azahara Palace²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Harry Davies| T: H Morrison| OR: 78| BF

10/1

Very consistent mare who was arguably a little unlucky not to make a winning return to action when third of 7 in handicap at Haydock (10.2f, good to firm) 20 days ago, having to wait for gap from 3f out and nearest finish. Should give another good account.

Form: 67932-3

(13)

Yokohama²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: J Butler| OR: 75

16/1

Twelve runs since debut success 2023 but knocking firmly on the door on turf in recent weeks, runner-up over C&D prior to filling same spot in 9-runner handicap at Haydock (10.2f) 3 weeks ago. In the mix once more.

Form: 53-3622

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 5p in the pound

Non-Runners

(5)

Expert Witness¹⁸

Weight: 9-4| Age: 5

T: P R Chamings J: Joe Leavy

Forecasts

Burrito (3/1), Beauld As Brass (8/1), Into Battle (8/1), Royal Approval (9/1), Azahara Palace (10/1), Sweet Reward (11/1), Sovereign Sea (14/1), Nap Hand (14/1), Silent Age (14/1), Kind Of Kiss (16/1), Yokohama (16/1), Prometeo (16/1), Gloucestershire (16/1), Expert Witness (16/1), Eagle Day (66/1)

Having made an impressive winning debut at Newmarket last summer BURRITO was best forgiven the run on account of the vastly different conditions/track when runner-up at Chester in September. A well-related sort representing a top stable, it's feasible to think he can improve again now handicapping as a 4-y-o (also gelded) and he's selected to come out on top. Into Battle, Azahara Palace and Sovereign Sea head the dangers. The thriving Beauld as Brass and Kind of Kiss complete the shortlist.