14:15 Newmarket

Saturday 17 May 2025

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

Bet 10 Get 40 With BetMGM Handicap

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 1m 36.45s

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(8)

Mythical Guest¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: T P Queally| T: G G Margarson| OR: 84| C

11/4

Dual 1¼m winner last spring (including here) who has returned in good form, finishing third in a C&D handicap before finding only one too good in 10-runner handicap at Ascot (1m) 17 days ago. Solid claims of going one place better from unchanged mark.

Form: 7840-32

(4)

Helm Rock^b,t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: R Kingscote| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 83| D

16/1

Built on more positive signs when successful from this mark at Southwell (1m) in November. Largely run with credit since the turn of the year and whilst his latest Lingfield effort was a lesser display, he's very much the type to bounce back.

Form: 7-83369

(1)

Classic Encounter¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 83| BF| D

1/1

Had a couple of next-time-out winners behind when opening his account after 5 months off at Redcar (1m) in April. Found only another improving 4-y-o too strong in follow-up bid over C&D 2 weeks ago and he rates one of the likelier types once more nudged up 2 lb.

Form: 2/553-12

(3)

Good Morning Alex²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Luke Catton⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Barron| OR: 81| D

7/1

Had a very productive 2024 winning 4 times and showed benefit of reappearance run when dead-heating in 11-runner handicap at Ripon (1m) 3 weeks ago, rallying. Straightforward sort who should go well again.

Form: 1664-61

(7)

Redhot Whisper^h,t⁸⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: B Brookhouse| OR: 77

20/1

Fairly useful maiden who raced freely and was beaten over 1f out when sixth of 9 in maiden at Southwell (8.1f) 84 days ago. Refitting of a hood rates a plus ahead of this return to handicaps.

Form: 2343-36

(2)

Royal Velvet¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Knight| OR: 76| BF| D

11/1

4-time winner on AW/turf at up to 1m who ran well after 8 months off when fourth of 9 in handicap at Yarmouth (8f, good to firm) 16 days ago, keeping on until final 100 yds. Consistency on the whole is very hard to knock and she's another in with a shout.

Form: 11565-4

Non-Runners

(6)

Where's Freddy⁵¹

Weight: 9-4| Age: 5

T: S C Williams J: L Morris

(5)

City Of York²⁹

Weight: 8-11| Age: 5

T: D M Simcock J: J P Spencer

Forecasts

Classic Encounter (1/1), Mythical Guest (11/4), Good Morning Alex (7/1), Where's Freddy (7/1), Royal Velvet (11/1), Helm Rock (16/1), City Of York (16/1), Redhot Whisper (20/1)

CLASSIC ENCOUNTER confirmed the improvement displayed when successful at Redcar last month when finishing a solid second in a C&D handicap 2 weeks ago and he looks to hold sound claims again dropping into class 4 company. Mythical Guest and Royal Velvet may emerge as the chief threat to George Boughey's 4-y-o.