19:00 Newmarket

Friday 15 August 2025

All17:1517:5218:2519:0019:3020:00

JenningsBet Stevenage Handicap

Off time: 19:00 | Winning time: 1m 41.84s

(5)

Bopedro^v¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: D O'Meara| OR: 96| CD

9/2

On a long losing run but ran a fine race when third in the Royal Hunt Cup in June and ran even better when filling same spot at York (1m) last month. Not seen to best effect the last twice and he looks a leading player with Marquand up for the first time.

Form: 263300

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(8)

Dark Tornado^t³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: J F Egan| T: D P Quinn| OR: 94

16/1

Gelded following truncated 2024 campaign for James Horton and progressing well for current yard, following up his Leicester maiden after just a week off in 8-runner handicap at Newmarket (7f) back in May. Out of depth in Summer Mile Stakes 5 weeks ago and can get back on track.

Form: 30-2115

(2)

Sterling Knight⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Matthew Poon| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 91| CD

5/1

C&D winner. Latest win at Doncaster in July. Wasted no time getting back to form returned to shorter when second of 8 in handicap (13/2) at this course (7f, good to firm) 6 days ago. Consistent type who holds each-way claims.

Form: 344162

(6)

Elarak³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 98| CD

7/2

Much improved this term, scoring at Lingfield before an impressive success in C&D novice (good to firm) in June. Took a significant step up in grade but was still rather disappointing in listed race at this C&D (good to firm) 5 weeks ago and can resume progress with his sights lowered.

Form: 6-117

(9)

Whitcombe Rockstar^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 90| D

12/1

Enjoyed an excellent 2024 campaign, winning 6 times, but his 3 efforts this year suggest the handicapper has finally caught up. Dropped a decent chunk here but needs to show more before becoming of interest.

Form: 117-000

(1)

Rhythm Master^p¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: S H James| T: G A Harker| OR: 89

7/1

10/3, capitalised on the drop in grade to end long losing run in 13-runner handicap at Thirsk (7f, good) just under a fortnight ago, edging ahead approaching last ½f. 3 lb higher here and it almost goes without saying that he's not an obvious type to follow up.

Form: 373231

(7)

Dutch Decoy^p¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: J Mitchell| T: C Johnston| OR: 85| CD

7/1

5-time C&D winner, latest in July. Never able to land a blow having having a second run in two days when tenth of 16 in handicap at Goodwood (9f, good, 20/1) just under 2 weeks ago. Handicapper may well have his measure for now.

Form: 941100

(4)

Mr Chaplin¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jack Dace⁽⁵⁾| T: R M Beckett| OR: 92

4/1

12/1, failed to progress when eighth of 20 in handicap at Goodwood (7f, good) 16 days ago, better placed than most. Dropped another 2 lb and not discounted with a very promising young apprentice taking over.

Form: 154-808

Non-Runners

(3)

Mythical Guest¹

Weight: 8-13| Age: 5

T: G G Margarson J: Harry Burns

Forecasts

Elarak (7/2), Mr Chaplin (4/1), Bopedro (9/2), Sterling Knight (5/1), Rhythm Master (7/1), Dutch Decoy (7/1), Mythical Guest (10/1), Whitcombe Rockstar (12/1), Dark Tornado (16/1)

A variety of profiles on show and it could pay to side with a veteran in the shape of BOPEDRO, who is on a lengthy losing streak but has some strong pieces of form this summer and his last couple of efforts are easy to strike a line through. Elarak found listed company too much at this stage of his career latest, but he can get back on track with his sights lowered, with the consistent Sterling Knight completing the shortlist.