HKJC World Pool Battaash Handicap

Off time: 13:52 | Winning time: 1m 0.99s

(5)

Havana Hurricane^p1¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 100| D

3/1

Won the Windsor Castle at 2025 Royal Ascot. Returned with a good 2¾ lengths third of 10 to Song of The Clyde in listed race at Newbury (6f, good) in May and might be worth forgiving him a lesser effort in Group 1 company at this year's Royal meeting. Cheekpieces are added for handicap debut.

Form: 2346-30

(3)

Comical Point^t³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A M Balding| OR: 96| BF| D

13/8

No win since his 5f debut but has recorded 3 good efforts this season, on the latest finishing second of 10 in 6f Windsor handicap. The return to a stiff 5f could prove ideal.

Form: 643-332

(4)

Westport¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 94| D

5/2

Blue Point gelding who won sprint novices on his first 3 starts. Caught away from where the main action unfolded when never a threat in Palace of Holyroodhouse at Royal Ascot. Could resume his progression now.

Form: 1110

(1)

Exclamation^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Rossa Ryan| T: G Harris| OR: 92| D

25/1

Doncaster novice winner at 2. Firmly back on the up when making all in 5f handicap at Chester in May but needs to bounce back from tame efforts in a York listed and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at Royal Ascot since.

Form: 0-90190

(2)

One And Gone¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Ryan Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 83| D

6/1

First handicap success when making all at Goodwood (5f, good to firm) a fortnight ago. Should remain competitive off 6 lb higher but this is a better class of race.

Form: 733401

Forecasts

Comical Point (13/8), Westport (5/2), Havana Hurricane (3/1), One And Gone (6/1), Exclamation (25/1)

The drop to a stiff 5f could play to the strengths of COMICAL POINT, who can gain reward for some fine efforts in defeat this year. Westport had little chance from his track position when losing his unbeaten record in the Palace of Holyroodhouse at Royal Ascot and can bounce back and provide the main threat to Andrew Balding's charge.