19:30 Kempton

Wednesday 2 October 2024

All16:0016:3517:1017:4518:2018:5519:3020:0020:30

North Farm Stud Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 19:31 | Winning time: 1m 37.99s

Settings

Selected odds by:

(3)

Hieronymus^p²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: Callum Shepherd| T: George Baker| OR: 86| CD

14/1

Had been out of sorts over summer but ran his best race since the early spring when third of 14 in London Mile Final over C&D 25 days ago. Seen to advantage in dictating the pace then but well drawn to attack from the front again here. Mark unchanged.

Form: 088083

(4)

Rhythm N Rock²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: L Morris| T: J Butler| OR: 85| CD

13/2

Losing run stretches back to 2022 but he returned from an absence in good order earlier this year, second of 12 in a C&D handicap in May. Not disgraced when midfield in London Mile Final on return 25 days ago and capable of playing his part from this mark.

Form: 25-3327

(14)

Helm Rock^p,t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: R Kingscote| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 84| CD

11/1

Useful performances when winning twice at this time last year, including over C&D. Proved more miss than hit in handful of starts since returning from a break in June though, never on terms when eighth in London Mile Final here last month.

Form: 758878

(8)

Havanagreattime¹⁸⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: Finley Marsh| T: R Hughes| OR: 87| C

11/2

Lightly-raced 3-y-o who posted his best effort yet when making a winning return from the front over 7f here in March, quickening over 1f out and always holding on. Absent again since but he's unexposed on all-weather/at 1m and he could yet have more to offer.

Form: 34210-1

(10)

King's Code¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Alexandra McDonnell⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 84| CD

22/1

Real success story for his yard, adding more wins at Southwell and over C&D at the start of the year. Has found things tougher in competitive handicaps on turf in recent months but he's eased in the weights as a result and he's one to keep an eye on returned to this surface.

Form: 948908

(12)

Love Billy Boy^b¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 85| D

25/1

Doubled career tally at Chester (7.6f) in June and left a couple of lesser efforts in his wake when making the frame on each of his last 2 starts in refitted blinkers, latterly when third back at Chester (7f, heavy) 19 days ago. Another who is unexposed on all weather.

Form: 419323

(6)

Mirador^b1²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Rob Hornby| T: B J Meehan| OR: 83

66/1

Won a valuable 10-runner newcomers race at Deauville last summer but yet to build on it this season and the blinkers are reached for making handicap debut.

Form: 1-05

(11)

Nap Hand²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A King| OR: 80| D

3/1

Confirmed promise of his previous run over C&D and looked better than ever when winning 11-runner handicap (4/1) at Haydock (8.2f, good) 25 days ago, seeing off a pair of upwardly-mobile 3-y-os. Of interest up 3 lb back on this surface.

Form: 574341

(13)

Monte Linas¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Harry Davies| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 79| BF| D

20/1

Stepped up on his reappearance run when second at Beverley last month and easy to ignore his latest Pontefract effort, coming with a run when badly hampered on inner final 1f. Not surprise to see him give a good account.

Form: 537-820

(2)

Bluelight Bay⁶⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Billy Loughnane| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 78| D

15/2

Successful over 1m last summer but he's essentially been operating below his best this term, tenth of 14 in handicap at Yarmouth (8f, good, 12/1) 69 days ago. Others arrive with more pressing claims.

Form: 0-68060

(9)

Devoirs Choice³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 80| D

9/2

Resumed progress when off the mark at Redcar (1m) and took another sizeable step forward when following up in 14-runner handicap at Newbury (8f, good to firm, 6/1) 34 days ago. Displayed a good attitude then and respected nudged up just 2 lb.

Form: 522611

(1)

Golden Sands^p,h¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 77| CD

33/1

C&D winner who proved too free and never figured first 2 starts back this summer (reportedly bled latterly). May of needed first start for 2 months when seventh of 12 in handicap at Pontefract (1m) 13 days ago but others come here with stronger claims in any case.

Form: 320-087

(7)

Lessay^p1²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 76| C

22/1

Winner on debut here (7f) in December and lines up here having largely run respectably whilst looking summed up by his mark in handicaps in recent months. Disappointing effort in refitted hood when sixth of 7 in handicap at Ascot (7f) 26 days ago. Cheekpieces now reached for.

Form: 744756

(5)

Aljezur^p¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Jack Dace⁽⁷⁾| T: L A Dace| OR: 67

150/1

Still a maiden but he ran respectably with cheekpieces enlisted in pair of 7f handicaps here prior to a lesser run when seventh of 8 in handicap at Newbury (1m, soft) 11 days ago, the ground a plausible excuse. However, he still needs to prove himself at this trip.

Form: 708367

Forecasts

Nap Hand (3/1), Devoirs Choice (9/2), Havanagreattime (11/2), Rhythm N Rock (13/2), Bluelight Bay (15/2), Helm Rock (11/1), Hieronymus (14/1), Monte Linas (20/1), Lessay (22/1), King's Code (22/1), Love Billy Boy (25/1), Golden Sands (33/1), Mirador (66/1), Aljezur (150/1)

NAP HAND confirmed the promise of his previous effort here in no uncertain terms when resuming winning ways at Haydock 25 days ago, seeing off a pair of progressive 3-y-os in the process. He makes plenty of appeal nudged up 3 lb and earns the vote ahead of the hat-trick seeking Devoirs Choice, who comes here firmly on the up himself. King's Code, from a very attractive mark and low-mileage Havanagreattime complete the shortlist.