15:15 Newbury

Saturday 20 April 2024

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

OLBG Spring Cup Handicap (Str)

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 1m 37.76s

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Selected odds by:

(14)

Raadobarg^b,t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: W Buick| T: G Boughey| OR: 107| D

14/1

It's now 15 runs since his last win in 2022 but he posted a good third of 19 in handicap at the Curragh (8f, heavy) 33 days ago. Can give another good account.

Form: 35330-3

(2)

Real Gain¹⁸⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Finley Marsh| T: R Hughes| OR: 102| D

8/1

Low-mileage Profitable colt who landed 9f handicap at Newmarket in September. Not disgraced when fifth in Darley Stakes there following month and needs considering on his return.

Form: 1/1315-

(8)

Thunder Ball²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Alec Voikhansky⁽³⁾| T: P & O Cole| OR: 101| C| D

10/1

Deservedly gained a second career win at Goodwood in October and resumed with a promising seventh of 20 in Lincoln at Doncaster, faring best of those ridden prominently. Firmly in the picture.

Form: 46D71-7

(4)

Sierra Blanca²⁰⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 100| D

40/1

Got off the mark in 1m heavy-ground Naas maiden in November 2022 (final start for Aidan O'Brien). Came in last of 8 in 10f listed event at Goodwood on sole run for Freddie & Martyn Meade in September. More is required on his handicap debut.

Form: 36221/8-

(15)

Talis Evolvere²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Joe Leavy⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 99| D

22/1

Got back on the up in 14-runner handicap at Newcastle (8f, 33/1) 22 days ago. Needs considering despite taking a 5 lb rise in the weights.

Form: 12-1201

(16)

Lattam²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Ryan Sexton| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 98| D

11/1

Won the Irish Lincoln in the mud in 2023 for William Haggas and shaped well on his return/yard debut when second of 20 in the Lincoln at Doncaster (8f, heavy) 28 days ago. Player.

Form: 10357-2

(13)

Revich^v²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: S D Bowen⁽⁵⁾| T: R Spencer| OR: 97| D

50/1

A useful 1m winner at his best but he beat only two in the Lincoln at Doncaster (8f, heavy) 28 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 40310-0

(5)

Navagio²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: James Horton| OR: 96| D

10/1

Useful 1m/9.5f winner in Ireland for Ray Cody last summer. Changed hands for 47,000 guineas and shaped well for his new yard when third of 20 in the Lincoln at Doncaster on his return, having to weave his way through. Very much one to consider.

Form: 02181-3

(7)

Dancing Magic¹⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: R A Teal| OR: 96

20/1

Remains a maiden but has been highly tried and (after a wind op) raced on unfavoured part of track when 16th at Ascot final run on his belated handicap debut. No forlorn hope.

Form: 308540-

(18)

Bill Silvers¹⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 95

22/1

Lightly-raced Doncaster 7f winner who signed off last term with a very good third of 6 in handicap there (10.2f, heavy) in October. Much respected on his seasonal return.

Form: 4163-

(20)

Bennetot¹⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94

50/1

Useful in France but he was well held both runs for his new yard in 1m handicaps at Haydock and Ascot last autumn. No surprise to see him take a step forward here though off a 3 lb lower mark.

Form: 744200-

(21)

Terwada²⁰³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: K Shoemark| T: E Walker| OR: 94| D

16/1

Quickly made into a useful performer in 2023, winning over 1m at Nottingham and Newmarket last summer. Well held in Cambridgeshire on final run but remains with potential.

Form: 341170-

(1)

Dashing Roger²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Mia Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: W Stone| OR: 92| D

50/1

Ended 2023 with back-to-back 1m wins at Nottingham and Newmarket but he came in last of 7 in Doncaster listed event on his return. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 75711-7

(9)

Racingbreaks Ryder¹⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: J P Spencer| T: C Hills| OR: 91| D

20/1

Completed a four-timer at Ascot (7f) last May but ended 2023 out of sorts. Lots more is required on his reappearance.

Form: 100067-

(6)

Metal Merchant¹⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: David Probert| T: J Channon| OR: 91| D

12/1

Useful performer who landed 1m classified race at Ascot in October. Beat only one in 1m Newmarket handicap following month so has work to do on his reappearance.

Form: 356210-

(11)

Noble Order⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 90| D

6/1

Returned from long absence to make a winning stable debut in 1m handicap at Newcastle in February. Had plenty in hand so well in the mix despite taking a 6 lb rise.

Form: 2213/1

(10)

Hieronymus^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-8| J: Callum Shepherd| T: George Baker| OR: 89| D

66/1

Already a dual 7f/1m scorer at Kempton in 2024 and posted another good effort when third of 10 in 1m handicap there 19 days ago. One for the shortlist.

Form: 134103

(12)

Godwinson²⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 88

11/2

Saxon Warrior colt who looked a good prospect when landing 9f maiden at Hamilton last June. Not seen to best effect when fifth in 1m Kempton novice final run and returns for his handicap bow on a good mark. Interesting.

Form: 315-

(19)

Look Back Smiling²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Laura Coughlan⁽³⁾| T: G Tutty| OR: 87| D

25/1

Isn't straightforward, but resumed with success in the Spring Mile at Doncaster (heavy) 23 days ago. 4 lb higher now but still not taken lightly in his current mood.

Form: 86451-1

(17)

Alpha Crucis²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Anna Gibson⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 85| D

18/1

Won twice over 1m in the mud last year and returned with a good fourth of 20 in the Lincoln at Doncaster (heavy) 28 days ago. Can go well again off 1 lb lower mark.

Form: 12516-4

(3)

City Of York^h¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Hayley Turner| T: D M Simcock| OR: 81| CD

28/1

Completed a hat-trick last season when winning over C&D in September. Resumed with a creditable sixth in handicap at Lingfield (8f, AW) 15 days ago. No forlorn hope with that run under his belt.

Form: U1117-6

Forecasts

Godwinson (11/2), Noble Order (6/1), Real Gain (8/1), Thunder Ball (10/1), Navagio (10/1), Lattam (11/1), Metal Merchant (12/1), Raadobarg (14/1), Terwada (16/1), Alpha Crucis (18/1), Dancing Magic (20/1), Racingbreaks Ryder (20/1), Talis Evolvere (22/1), Bill Silvers (22/1), Look Back Smiling (25/1), City Of York (28/1), Sierra Blanca (40/1), Revich (50/1), Bennetot (50/1), Dashing Roger (50/1), Hieronymus (66/1)

William Haggas' GODWINSON looks to have got in lightly for his first venture into handicaps so this lightly raced Saxon Warrior colt gets the vote. Lattam shaped with promise on his first run for Julie Camacho when runner-up in the Lincoln and heads the list of dangers, although a good case can also be made for Navagio, Thunder Ball and Noble Order in a cracking Spring Cup.