16:25 Newmarket

Saturday 21 June 2025

All14:0314:3815:1015:4516:2517:05

Boodles Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 3m 5.62s

(2)

Tides Of War⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Taryn Langley⁽⁷⁾| T: D M Simcock| OR: 83| BF| D

3/1

Back to winning ways returned to a longer trip at Lingfield (15.8f) in April and was beaten only by an improved one at Goodwood since. Likely to give another good account.

Form: 9-89712

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(1)

Calvert²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: R A Teal| OR: 76

11/4

2-y-o maiden winner who seemed to excel himself from 5 Ib out of the handicap when runner-up over C&D in August. Possibly unsuited by extreme conditions final 2 starts last year and probably needed the run when always behind on Kempton reappearance last month.

Form: 32275-0

(6)

Red Flyer⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Cieren Fallon| T: K Jewell| OR: 75

6/1

Thirteen runs since last win in 2024 but again ran creditably when 5¾ lengths sixth of 14 to Tides of War in handicap (13/2) at Lingfield (15.8f, AW) 64 days ago, despite not being seen to best effect. Meets that rival on 5 lb better terms here and likely to go well.

Form: 647-326

(4)

Merrijig²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: H Crouch| T: John Berry| OR: 74| D

6/1

Three-time winner last season who shaped as if needing the run when beating only one home in 14f handicap at Chelmsford on reappearance. Likely to be closer to form here.

Form: 45116-0

(5)

Curran¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Jack Callan⁽⁷⁾| T: C Johnston| OR: 69

9/2

Took advantage of a much-reduced mark in 5-runner handicap at Doncaster (14.5f, good to firm) 14 days ago, very much having run of race and having nothing to spare. Looks vulnerable, even with 7-lb claimer taking over in the saddle.

Form: 45-9391

(7)

Sharp Distinction^b,t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: Lemos Souza| OR: 68| D

20/1

Resumed from a 4-month break in decent heart when sixth of 8 in handicap (11/2) at Lingfield (12f, AW) 18 days ago. Blinkers back on.

Form: 461-066

(3)

My Chiquita^h⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Aidan Keeley| T: B Brookhouse| OR: 67

15/2

Registered a third success over hurdles in 2m4f handicap at Worcester last August, but proved too free back in this code when fifth of 6 in handicap at Bath (10.2f, firm, 5/1) 8 months on. Significantly back up in trip.

Form: 3/8237-5

Forecasts

Calvert (11/4), Tides Of War (3/1), Curran (9/2), Red Flyer (6/1), Merrijig (6/1), My Chiquita (15/2), Sharp Distinction (20/1)

RED FLYER did pretty well considering he didn't drop the bridle and met some traffic at a key stage when behind Tides of War at Lingfield on his most recent outing, so it's entirely plausible he could reverse the form with that rival on 5 lb better terms. Calvert ran well over C&D last August and should come on for his reappearance.