15:15 Newmarket

Saturday 18 May 2024

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

JenningsBet Britain's Leading Independent Bookmakers Handicap

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 1m 37.26s

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(4)

Good Karma³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J Ferguson| OR: 88| BF

7/1

:Low-mileage 4-y-o who bagged a Wolverhampton maiden at 2 yrs and built on that when defying a penalty on return at Newbury (7f) last year. Made a disappointing return from 10 months off at Chelmsford (7f) last month so is probably best watched returned to turf.

Form: 01/10-9

(3)

Hopeful¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: K Stott| T: A M Balding| OR: 84| BF| D

4/1

Off 15 months after her debut but proved herself a useful prospect when winning at Newcastle in January. Took a step forward returned to turf when second of 6 in handicap at Redcar (10f, soft, 13/8), showing a likeable attitude in defeat, and she's less exposed than most here.

Form: 4/152

(2)

Repertoire¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Shepherd| T: D M Simcock| OR: 83| CD

9/1

Won this race last season last season before also scoring at Windsor of his penultimate outing of campaign. Ran about as well as could have been expected in the face of unfavourably slow gallop at Ascot last time and he's not ruled of making the frame,

Form: 28710-4

(6)

Cabinet Of Clowns²⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 80| D

15/2

Winner on the July Course here last summer before doubling tally for the season at Chepstow later in year. Ended season still in good form but probably best watched on return from 6 months off.

Form: 514224-

(1)

Signcastle City¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Alec Voikhansky⁽³⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 80| D

12/1

Benefited from the return to this trip when winning 8-runner handicap at Bath (8f, heavy) 12 days ago. Has won on quicker ground previously and has to be respected after that career-best effort from 3 lb higher mark.

Form: 3058-71

(8)

Epsom Faithfull^p⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Paddy Bradley| T: P Phelan| OR: 79| D

20/1

Won twice at Lingfield in the winter and deserved credit for getting so close from a long way back when third there (7f, AW) 50 days ago. Meets sterner opposition this time but she clearly returns to turf in good heart.

Form: 6-31173

(11)

He's A Gentleman^v¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: R Coakley| T: H Palmer| OR: 78| D

12/1

A two-time scorer at Wolverhampton last autumn who went close in a 12-runner handicap there on return. Quickly back to his best when runner-up at Chester (7f, good) and he can give another good account.

Form: 212-202

(10)

Great Blasket^b¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 77| D

7/2

Had been knocking on the door prior to scoring at Southwell (8.1f) last month before following up at Yarmouth (8f, good) 3 weeks later. Another step forward will be needed to defy a 4 lb higher mark in this grade but he's not ruled out of making it.

Form: 335211

(7)

Zozimus^v⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 77| BF| D

9/2

Sole win came back in 2020 but he does lurk on an eyecatching mark and has looked on good terms with himself of late, finishing with running left from a poor position at Haydock (7f, good). Frame claims back up in trip.

Form: 709334

Non-Runners

(9)

Dashing Roger²¹

Weight: 9-9| Age: 7

T: W Stone J: Non Runner

(5)

Aalto¹⁴

Weight: 9-9| Age: 4

T: Ian Williams J: Billy Loughnane

Forecasts

Great Blasket (7/2), Hopeful (4/1), Zozimus (9/2), Aalto (11/2), Good Karma (7/1), Cabinet Of Clowns (15/2), Repertoire (9/1), Signcastle City (12/1), He's A Gentleman (12/1), Dashing Roger (16/1), Epsom Faithfull (20/1)

AALTO went close to defying long odds on his return over C&D earlier in the month and remains on a fair mark based on the pick of his French form, so Ian Williams' gelding gets the nod over Andrew Balding's unexposed filly Hopeful. Signcastle City proved better than ever when scoring at Bath last time and is another for the shortlist.