Blackmore Building Contractors Ltd Handicap

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 1m 41.63s

(2)

Socialite²⁹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Watson| T: C Hills| OR: 104

7/2

Maiden/novice winner this time last year and ran a cracker in listed company at Newmarket.12¼ lengths seventh of 9 to Lead Artist in Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood (8f, firm, 8/1). Off 9 months (gelded). Makes handicap debut and mark leaves no margin for error.

Form: 1147-

(3)

Sean²³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 101| D

11/1

Seventeen runs since last win in 2023. Tenth of 13 in handicap (28/1) at Newmarket (9f, good to firm) 23 days ago. This is slightly easier but others still more persuasive.

Form: 4-02400

(4)

Talis Evolvere²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Joe Leavy⁽³⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 97| D

9/2

Latest win at Chelmsford City in December. Respectable third of 10 in handicap (9/1) at Ascot (8f, firm) 26 days ago, suited by way race developed.

Form: 9501-83

(1)

Native Warrior⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: R Kingscote| T: K R Burke| OR: 92| D

6/4

Shaped really well when runner-up at Goodwood last summer. Made effort earlier than ideal when ninth of 22 in Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster (8f, good) 58 days ago and he's of serious interest having been eased 1 lb.

Form: 41320-9

(5)

Sterling Knight⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Hollie Doyle| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 89| C| D

7/2

Course winner. Good second of 8 in handicap at Newmarket (7f, good to firm, 4/1) 9 days ago, conceding first run. Likely to give it another good go.

Form: 522842

Non-Runners

(6)

Alpha Crucis⁵⁸

Weight: 8-12| Age: 5

T: G & J Moore J: Rhys Clutterbuck

Forecasts

Native Warrior (6/4), Socialite (7/2), Sterling Knight (7/2), Talis Evolvere (9/2), Alpha Crucis (9/2), Sean (11/1)

NATIVE WARRIOR and Alpha Crucis shaped better than the result in the Lincoln on their respective reappearance and look the pair to focus on. The former has fewer miles on the clock so is preferred, with Sterling Knight expected to give his running again.