HKJC World Pool Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 17:45 | Winning time: 2m 32.65s

(6)

Melek Alreeh¹⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: D M Simcock| OR: 85| D

14/1

Confirmed earlier promise with win in 10-runner handicap at Wolverhampton (1½m) in January. Off since but has gone well fresh so not ruled out.

Form: 4256-21

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(1)

First Officer³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Sorin Moldoveanu⁽⁷⁾| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 76| CD

5/1

C&D winner last July. Shaped well when second of 6 in handicap at Yarmouth (11.5f) 30 days ago, unable to reel in winner who enjoyed first run. Player off the same mark.

Form: 5643-52

(2)

Bintabuha⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 74

5/1

A fair 1¼m winner for William Knight in 2025. Encouraging start for new handler when fifth at Yarmouth (1¼m) in April but only fifth of 7 at Newbury (1¼m) last month. Bounce back needed.

Form: 7764-55

(5)

Cape Fear²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 78| D

5/6

Gained a deserved first success when landing the odds in 7-runner novice at Lingfield (11.6f) 23 days ago. Much respected now going into handicaps.

Form: 5-32321

(4)

Parisian Scholar¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Rowan Scott| T: C Johnston| OR: 77| D

11/2

A 3-time juvenile scorer who resumed winning ways in 5-runner handicap at Thirsk (1½m) 10 days ago. Up 3 lb but weighted to go close.

Form: 237041

Non-Runners

(3)

Wonder⁷⁵

Weight: 9-13| Age: 5

T: J R Fanshawe J: Arron D'Arcy

Forecasts

Cape Fear (5/6), First Officer (5/1), Bintabuha (5/1), Wonder (5/1), Parisian Scholar (11/2), Melek Alreeh (14/1)

None of these can be ruled out but Jane Chapple-Hyam has her string in fine nick and C&D winner FIRST OFFICER can build on a promising Yarmouth second and add to the tally here. Recent Thirsk scorer Parisian Scholar rates a big threat though, while both Melek Alreeh and Cape Fear also need factoring in.