HKJC World Pool Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 17:20 | Winning time: 2m 3.63s

(1)

Study Of Words^p1¹⁹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 95| CD

5/4

Frankel colt who has improved a chunk with each of his three runs, wide-margin winner of 4-runner maiden over C&D in October. Cheekpieces go on for his handicap debut. Player.

Form: 521-

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(4)

Sahara King¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 94

9/4

Too Darn Hot colt made a winning start in novice at Wolverhampton in November and built on it when fifth of 10 in novice at Newbury (1¼m) 16 days ago, nearest finish. Should have more to offer now going handicapping.

Form: 1-5

(3)

Evanesco¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: D Egan| T: C Johnston| OR: 92

9/2

A fairly useful juvenile who bagged 1m novice at Salisbury in September. Returned from 6 months off with a good fourth of 8 in handicap over C&D 18 days ago. May do better still.

Form: 52617-4

(5)

Gatehouse²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: R Havlin| T: S Woods| OR: 81| D

16/1

Progressive Ten Sovereigns colt who bagged 1m2f novice at Chelmsford in December and followed up in 7-runner handicap at Southwell (1m) 26 days ago. Capable of better still now back up in trip.

Form: 21-1

(2)

Crockham Heath⁹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Callum Hutchinson| T: A M Balding| OR: 80

17/2

Fast-improving son of Sea The Moon who went 2-3 in emphatic style in 7-runner handicap at Wolverhampton in January. Up 8lb but merits serious consideration after a break.

Form: 01-1

Forecasts

Study Of Words (5/4), Sahara King (9/4), Evanesco (9/2), Crockham Heath (17/2), Gatehouse (16/1)

None of the quintet can be ruled out but the vote goes to Charlie Appleby's handicap debutant STUDY OF WORDS who still holds a Derby entry and looked a colt going places when an easy C&D maiden winner last backend. Crockham Heath also comes here on an upward curve and rates next best ahead of fellow hat-trick-seeker Gatehouse.