Heineken Buttonhook Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

(3)

Elysian Flame¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 9-9| J: Joanna Mason| T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward| OR: 92| C

8/1

Useful stayer during last full season in 2021 and confirmed he retains a lot of that ability when making a winning return from further 7 months off at Beverley (2m) 18 days ago. Needs to prove he can stand regular racing but this course winner is respected with a repeat.

Form: 5335/4-1

(6)

Mountain Road⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 87

10/1

Signed off for David Simcock with back-to-back staying handicap wins in summer 2024. Seen only twice since but did at least offer something to work on following 19 months off when fourth at Musselburgh (2m) last week. Task is to build on that turned out quickly.

Form: 25118/4

(5)

Square Necker⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: S H James| T: K P De Foy| OR: 85

5/6

Confirmed debut promise when winning a Dundalk maiden (1½m) in December and made further stable switch prior to chasing home Constitution Hill (conceding 5 lb) in a Southwell novice in February. Promises to do better again now handicapping over this longer trip.

Form: 31-2

(4)

Baileys Khelstar¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Connor Beasley| T: C Johnston| OR: 79| BF

6/1

Started 2024 with wins at Southwell and Ascot and encouraging he stepped up on belated comeback run granted the run of things when second at Wolverhampton (1¾m) 16 days ago. Well enough treated if continuing to stand his racing.

Form: 1127/02

(2)

Humble Spark^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Lauren Young⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 77| C

10/3

Mainly campaigned on all-weather nowadays but he's effective on turf, again running well in first-time cheekpieces (retained) when fourth at Musselburgh (12.5f) 3 weeks ago. Not discounted from steadily easing mark.

Form: 3-45544

Non-Runners

(1)

Galyx³¹²

Weight: 9-2| Age: 5

T: J Channon J: Callum Rodriguez

Forecasts

Square Necker (2/1), Galyx (5/2), Mountain Road (6/1), Humble Spark (7/1), Baileys Khelstar (7/1), Elysian Flame (8/1)

SQUARE NECKER faced no easy task conceding 5 lb to Constitution Hill on stable debut at Southwell back in February and, appealing as the type to make his mark in staying handicaps this summer, he looks to hold solid claims up in trip. Baileys Khelstar and veteran Elysian Flame can offer up chief resistance.