16:45 Newmarket

Saturday 2 May 2026

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3516:1016:4517:2017:55

Boodles Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

4YO plus | Class 2 | 1m 4f | 9 Runners | Turf

(5)

Bellum Justum¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 107| CD

7/1

Landed Group 2 Jockey Club over C&D last May. Well held in good company all 3 runs subsequently, though shaped as if in need of the run after 10 months off when fifth of 6 in John Porter at Newbury 2 weeks ago. Not out of things on his handicap debut.

Form: 1/5169-5

(9)

Nightime Dancer²⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 103| BF| D

6/1

Got off the mark in 1m4f Southwell novice last spring before advancing his form in much better company, eighth in the Derby and fourth in Geoffrey Freer at Newbury. Gelded and could do better on his return/handicap debut for yard among the winners.

Form: 3/13824-

(4)

Military Academy^b²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 103| D

33/1

Showed signs of temperament towards the end of a winless 4-y-o season for the Gosden stable but made a positive start for current connections with a close third in the Winter Derby at Lingfield. However, not in the same form at Kempton both runs since.

Form: 5-72305

(7)

Hopewell Rock¹⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 101| BF

9/2

Dual 1m winner at 2 yrs and he continued to improve in defeat in handicaps last season until just ninth in November Handicap at Doncaster final run. Has been gelded and remains with potential after only six runs.

Form: 11/3229-

(3)

Gamrai³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 97

7/4

Lightly-raced son of Lope de Vega who took a big step forward (gelded) when making a winning return in 13-runner handicap at Kempton (11f) in March. Hiked up 9 lb but still looks ahead of his mark.

Form: 3/124-1

(8)

Daiquiri Bay²⁰⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A King| OR: 96

4/1

Easy winner at Chester on return last May and posted plenty of useful efforts in defeat subsequently, third of 12 over C&D in October. Has been gelded and must enter calculations with stable going well.

Form: 284353-

(2)

Oneforthegutter¹⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: Saffie Osborne| T: Ian Williams| OR: 91| D

25/1

Won on the July course here last July but struggled for form after, cheekpieces removed when beating one at Southwell in December.

Form: 100008-

(1)

Nolton Cross²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Hart| T: H Palmer| OR: 90| D

28/1

Made light of long absence when scoring at Wolverhampton in February and in good nick until beating only one in handicap at Newcastle (1¼m) 29 days ago.

Form: 64/1440

(6)

Pride Of Donegal^v²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: W Buick| T: C Johnston| OR: 90| D

11/1

Largely progressive sort who landed a pair of Wolverhampton handicaps before recording a good third of 5 at Thirsk (1½m) 22 days ago.

Form: 443113

Forecasts

Gamrai (15/8), Hopewell Rock (9/2), Daiquiri Bay (5/1), Nightime Dancer (13/2), Bellum Justum (8/1), Pride Of Donegal (8/1), Military Academy (16/1), Oneforthegutter (20/1), Nolton Cross (25/1)

GAMRAI looked a different model on the back of being gelded when scoring at Kempton on his return and can defy a 9 lb hike in the weights. Last year's Jockey Club winner Bellum Justum kept good company last season and could prove the one to give John and Thady Gosden's improver most to do on his handicap debut ahead of Daiquiri Bay and Hopewell Rock.