15:15 Newmarket

Saturday 15 May 2021

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Heed Your Hunch At Betway Handicap

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 1m 12.75s

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Selected odds by:

(3)

Just Frank⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Harry Burns⁽⁷⁾| T: J L Eyre| OR: 98| CD

14/1

Made up into a useful 2-y-o, notably bagging a valuable C&D sales race in October. Not disgraced both starts this term, but he arguably lacks the scope of several of these rivals.

Form: 2112-66

(4)

Perotto¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Ray Dawson⁽³⁾| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 95| D

13/2

Signed off 2-y-o campaign by finishing third to Just Frank in C&D sales race (5 lb better off with that rival now). Lost no caste in defeat back here on recent reappearance and merits respect.

Form: 21293-2

(12)

Jumby³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: W Buick| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 95

11/4

Showed plenty in 3 starts last term (form stacks up well) and shaped well when third to the progressive Creative Force (winner again since) on return over C&D. Big player off the same mark.

Form: 143-3

(8)

Shark Two One²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: F Norton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 93| D

40/1

Hit the target twice as a juvenile, including a big pot at the Curragh in September. Too free on Doncaster reappearance, but he looks a shade too high in the weights in any case.

Form: 21914-6

(6)

Bickerstaffe¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: A Kirby| T: K R Burke| OR: 92| D

6/1

Added to 2-y-o debut success when striking on return/handicap bow at Pontefract. Finished a length adrift of Perotto when third over C&D subsequently and he's not without each-way hope.

Form: 16-13

(7)

First Folio²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J Ferguson| OR: 91| D

8/1

French recruit who belied odds of 20/1 in good style on return/debut for new yard at Yarmouth (6f, good to firm). Clobbered with an 11 lb rise and this is tougher, but he remains an unknown quantity.

Form: 34324-1

(10)

Seven Brothers²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 88| D

12/1

Struggled in York Group 2 on final 2-y-o start, but looked promising prior to that and progressed when making a winning return/handicap bow at Doncaster (6f, good to firm). Further progress possible.

Form: 118-1

(11)

Barney's Bay⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Dane O'Neill| T: T D Easterby| OR: 87| D

14/1

Shaped well both starts at 2 yrs and has progressed with each of his 3 starts this season, winner of Southwell maiden and Thirsk handicap (both at 6f) the last twice. Shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 24-211

(9)

Rebel At Dawn²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: R Kingscote| T: K R Burke| OR: 87

40/1

Gelded ahead of encouraging reappearance third over 5f at Nottingham last month. However, limitations seemingly exposed next time and others make more appeal here.

Form: 5857-37

(5)

Mr Trick¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽³⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 83

22/1

Showed fair level of ability last season and good start to this campaign when third in a 6-runner Lingfield handicap (6f, AW). Ought to pick up a race before long, but this is a big ask.

Form: 5432-3

(14)

Shalaa Asker^t1¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: S P Davis| T: A Keatley| OR: 82| BF

66/1

Largely creditable efforts since opening his account in 5f Chelmsford novice in September. However, rather disappointing at Nottingham recently (looked a hard ride) and now tried in a tongue strap.

Form: 22-4235

(17)

Jadwal¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Cieren Fallon| T: C Hills| OR: 81| D

18/1

Winner of 6f novice on the July course here last summer and did mighty well under the circumstances when going close on the AW at Lingfield 16 days ago. Should make his presence felt.

Form: 5176-22

(13)

Fantasy Master²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: Darragh Keenan| T: M Appleby| OR: 80

50/1

Dual winner at Nottingham last term, but he was put firmly in his place on return at Sandown (5f, good) and moving back up to 6f is by no means certain to aid his cause.

Form: 08114-2

(15)

Smeaton's Light¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: Nicola Currie| T: M R Channon| OR: 80| D

8/1

Gelded following low-key 2-y-o campaign and looked a different proposition when cosily landing 6f Thirsk maiden recently. Much more on his plate now handicapping, but merits respect nonetheless.

Form: 59-1

Non-Runners

(1)

Operatic¹⁹⁷

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: S & E Crisford J: Non Runner

(2)

Desert Gulf²⁵

Weight: 8-7| Age: 3

T: W J Knight J: Marco Ghiani

(16)

Tanfantic⁸

Weight: 8-6| Age: 3

T: B J Meehan J: Edward Greatrex

Forecasts

Jumby (11/4), Bickerstaffe (6/1), Perotto (13/2), First Folio (8/1), Smeaton's Light (8/1), Seven Brothers (12/1), Operatic (12/1), Just Frank (14/1), Barney's Bay (14/1), Jadwal (18/1), Desert Gulf (20/1), Mr Trick (22/1), Tanfantic (25/1), Rebel At Dawn (40/1), Shark Two One (40/1), Fantasy Master (50/1), Shalaa Asker (66/1)

Preference in this highly competitive handicap is for JUMBY, who shaped significantly better than the bare result over C&D on his seasonal reappearance last month and he remains open to improvement. Jadwal and the unexposed Seven Brothers need considering also. The likeable Perotto is also shortlisted, along with Barney's Bay.