16:00 Newbury

Thursday 15 June 2023

All13:5014:2014:5015:2516:0016:3017:05

Highclere Castle Gin Handicap

Off time: 16:03 | Winning time: 1m 23.29s

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Selected odds by:

(4)

Popmaster²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Loughnane⁽³⁾| T: E Walker| OR: 90

6/1

Went without a win in 2022 but he posted some good efforts, notably when runner-up in the Wokingham at the Royal Meeting. Yet to fire this term but becoming well treated.

Form: 076-900

(6)

Lyndon B^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: J L Flint| OR: 88| D

12/1

Ended last year in top form and shaped as if he'd come on for his reappearance at Goodwood. Should be spot on now, so can't be discounted.

Form: 62182-6

(7)

Top Secret^h²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 87| D

5/1

Completed a double at Kempton towards the end of last season and returned to action with a creditable second here last month. Drop to 7f is no issue and he's likely to be on the premises.

Form: 50211-2

(12)

Mister Bluebird^p⁴^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Connor Planas⁽⁵⁾| T: H Main| OR: 82| D

7/2

Likeable type who picked up his first win of this campaign in typically straightforward style at Goodwood 4 days ago. Should go well under a penalty if the race doesn't come too soon.

Form: 500-231

(3)

Able Kane²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: R Coakley| T: B R Millman| OR: 86| D

8/1

Ended 2022 below par and yet to hit top form so far this term, although there was more encouragement at Goodwood last time. Not completely dismissed.

Form: 400-044

(5)

Persuasion¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: W Buick| T: T D Barron| OR: 86| BF| D

9/2

Is a long time without a win and needs things to drop right. He's on a feasible mark, however, and his recent third at Haydock was encouraging.

Form: 82-0333

(8)

Flying Secret¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Mia Nicholls⁽⁷⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 76| D

9/1

Stripped fitter for reappearance and produced an improved showing to score at Yarmouth last time. Promising apprentice takes 7 lb off, so he's worthy of consideration.

Form: 2328-51

(1)

King Cabo¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: David Egan| T: L A Dace| OR: 73| D

9/1

11/2, career best when winning 7-runner handicap at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) 16 days ago, outbattling runner-up. Faces a much stiffer assignment back on turf in a more competitive race.

Form: 2497-21

(11)

Kimifive^h²⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-6| J: L Morris| T: Ian Williams| OR: 73| D

50/1

Gained his first win in over 3 years at Epsom in August and ran to a similar level when second at Carlisle on next start. Struggled in stronger race at Ascot on final outing and best watched after 8 months off.

Form: 796120-

(2)

Sergeant Tibbs⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: George Rooke| T: J L Flint| OR: 72| C

12/1

Course winner who wasn't disgraced when fourth here 8 days ago. Tends to struggle in this grade of handicap, though.

Form: 3-55294

Non-Runners

(10)

Hickory³⁶

Weight: 9-5| Age: 5

T: J R Fanshawe J: Daniel Muscutt

(9)

Letmelivemylife²⁶

Weight: 9-2| Age: 5

T: S Curran J: R Havlin

Forecasts

Mister Bluebird (7/2), Persuasion (9/2), Hickory (9/2), Top Secret (5/1), Popmaster (6/1), Able Kane (8/1), Flying Secret (9/1), King Cabo (9/1), Lyndon B (12/1), Sergeant Tibbs (12/1), Letmelivemylife (16/1), Kimifive (50/1)

HICKORY boasted a progressive profile prior to a minor blip at Kempton last time, so he's fancied to resume winning ways returning to turf. Mister Bluebird is an obvious danger following his win at Goodwood and Persuasion could make his presence felt if the race is run to suit.