13:05 Newmarket

Saturday 17 May 2025

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:35

Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 1m 24.3s

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(7)

Persuasion⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Luke Catton⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Barron| OR: 91| D

14/1

Resumed winning ways in 9-runner handicap at Musselburgh (7f, good) last month. Subsequently struggled off this 4 lb higher mark at Chester, though, and others make more appeal on this occasion.

Form: 100-718

(3)

Dark Tornado⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: J F Egan| T: D P Quinn| OR: 90| D

16/1

Gelded following truncated 2024 campaign for James Horton and has resumed in good order for new connections this season, runner-up on return in 7f Leicester novice prior to going one better in a maiden over the same C&D (firm) last weekend. More needed now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 62/30-21

(5)

Sterling Knight¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Loughnane| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 88| D

4/1

Dual winner on turf last summer and saw things out best when resuming winning ways at Chelmsford (1m) off 2 lb lower in December. In good form since, most recently finishing fourth of 14 back on turf at Newmarket a fortnight ago, and he's not without hope.

Form: 1-52284

(4)

Waleefy^t¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas| OR: 87| BF| D

7/2

Progressive last term, bagging handicaps on the July course here and at Newbury, plus he posted several solid efforts in defeat. Turned over at short odds on return at Goodwood (6f, good) but he's well worth another chance with that run under his belt and now back on a more conventional track.

Form: 12123-5

(2)

Vicario^t¹⁸⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Rob Hornby| T: E Walker| OR: 87

8/1

Lope De Vega filly who was knocking on the door prior to opening her account with a bit to spare in 4-runner handicap at Haydock (6f, firm) last summer. Subsequent reverses were in listed company and she's not discounted back in calmer waters following a 6-month break.

Form: 232108-

(1)

Harvard Sound^p1¹²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: N Callan| T: Tom Clover| OR: 84| BF| D

13/2

Back-to-back winner of 7f maiden/novice contests last summer before a good third on handicap debut at Southwell in October, finishing to good effect. However, he has failed to make an impact in 2 subsequent starts and connections now reach for cheekpieces.

Form: 21130-6

(6)

Madame De Sevigne⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: D Egan| T: R Eddery| OR: 83| CD

4/1

Opened her account at Leicester last summer and got back on the up when doubling her tally at Newmarket (7f, good to soft) in October. Below par on return at Doncaster but she should be sharper now and this filly is one to consider.

Form: 16312-0

(8)

Leadman¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: D O'Meara| OR: 83| D

11/2

Fairly useful sort who ended his time with Andrew Balding with a good second in 12-runner novice at Kempton (1m) in October. Also found just one too good back at this trip on recent reappearance/debut for new yard at Newcastle and he's a must for the shortlist.

Form: 2/1442-2

Non-Runners

(9)

Physique¹⁵

Weight: 9-4| Age: 5

T: Mrs P Sly J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Waleefy (7/2), Sterling Knight (4/1), Madame De Sevigne (4/1), Physique (4/1), Leadman (11/2), Harvard Sound (13/2), Vicario (8/1), Persuasion (14/1), Dark Tornado (16/1)

WALEEFY presumably didn't relish the track on his reappearance at Goodwood and, given his otherwise progressive profile and back on a more conventional, galloping track, he could be the answer. Madame de Sevigne will be a big threat if on-song and Sterling Knight is worth a second look, too.