14:25 Newmarket

Thursday 17 April 2025

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 1m 37.9s

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Selected odds by:

(3)

Fearnot^h²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Rossa Ryan| T: C G Cox| OR: 84

9/1

Invincible Spirit colt who was hooded for debut and overcame inexperience when cosily off the mark in a Wolverhampton novice (7f) last month. Improved on that when runner-up under a penalty at Kempton (7f) 3 weeks ago and he appeals as the type to do better now handicapping upped to 1m.

Form: 12

(5)

Transparent⁷⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: T Ward| OR: 84| D

10/1

Confirmed promise of his debut second in the autumn when running out a good winner of a Kempton novice (7f) in January. Showed a good attitude when defying a penalty at Southwell (1m) the following month, looking suited by the increase in trip. Respected now handicapping.

Form: 2-11

(7)

Byblos¹⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 84

2/1

Has an excellent pedigree and plenty of promise to glean from his exploits in novice/maiden company during second half of last season, chasing home a very promising debutant over C&D on final start. In leading hands and better expected now handicapping as a 3-y-o.

Form: 422-

(2)

Present Times¹⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 84| D

7/2

Very expensive purchase from an excellent family who confirmed debut promise at the second attempt when landing 12-runner Lingfield novice (1m, AW) in November, despite still showing signs of greenness. That underlined he's a useful prospect, and of firm interest now handicapping.

Form: 231-

(10)

Watching Stars¹⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 83

6/1

Displayed a willing attitude when off the mark at third attempt in a Thirsk novice (7f) in September. Cheekpieces on, may have found conditions softer than ideal when 11 lengths third of 6 on nursery debut here (10f) on final start but gelded ahead of return and likely he can get back on the up.

Form: 4413-

(8)

Yabher¹⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 82| BF| D

6/1

Sea The Stars who looked potentially useful when a 33/1 winner on debut in valuable maiden at Doncaster (1m) in September. Never looked like defying a penalty faced with testing ground at Haydock a month later but well worth another chance back on a sounder surface/now handicapping.

Form: 15-

(6)

King Casper²²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Palmer| OR: 81

14/1

Built on debut promise to run out a clear-cut winner of an 11-runner Haydock novice (7f) in August. However, didn't see his race out upped to 1m when fourth of 5 in novice back at that venue in September and this looks a hot enough introduction to handicaps. Stable won this 12 months ago.

Form: 514-

(1)

Happy Banner¹²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: R L Moore| T: E Walker| OR: 79

18/1

Son of Starspangledbanner who continued theme of race-by-race progress when off the mark at third attempt in a Kempton novice (7f) in December. Gelded ahead of this handicap debut and pedigree offers hope there's more to come as a 3-y-o. Booking of Ryan Moore catches the eye.

Form: 731-

(9)

Pappa Louis²²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 77

66/1

Probably didn't need to improve when opening his account in 4-runner 7f nursery on the July Course last summer. That form lacked substance however, and he didn't look entirely straightforward equipped with cheekpieces when well held at Sandown final start. More needed on return.

Form: 00218-

(4)

Canvas¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: S Dixon| OR: 70

66/1

Fair form for both Richard Hannon/Martin Meade as a 2-y-o. Off 8 months/gelded, probably needed the run starting out for another new yard when tenth of 13 in handicap (66/1) at Southwell (8.1f) 15 days ago, but he looks to lack the potential of a few here.

Form: 5467-0

Forecasts

Byblos (2/1), Present Times (7/2), Watching Stars (6/1), Yabher (6/1), Fearnot (9/1), Transparent (10/1), King Casper (14/1), Happy Banner (18/1), Canvas (66/1), Pappa Louis (66/1)

PRESENT TIMES came in for a no-nonsense ride when opening his account at Lingfield in November and, appealing as the type to do better still now handicapping as a 3-y-o, he earns the vote to make a winning return. Fearnot has made an excellent start on all-weather in recent weeks and he's a danger tackling handicaps at 1m for the first time. Byblos, Transparent and Yabher are just a trio of others meriting a second look in a race packed full of likely improvers.