16:50 Leicester

Monday 26 May 2025

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Leicester Racecourse For Racing, Dining & Events Handicap

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 1m 44.46s

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Selected odds by:

(5)

Dutch Decoy⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: J P Spencer| T: C Johnston| OR: 80| D

13/2

Tough, useful handicapper at his best but he arrives on a losing run. Attracted support and step in right direction on reappearance at Ripon but below form in much more competitive races last twice. Significant drop in grade and Jamie Spencer an interesting jockey booking. One to consider.

Form: 600-587

(3)

Duke's Command⁵³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 80

15/8

Outstanding pedigree but only managed to achieve fair form in maidens for Charlie Appleby in 2023, runner-up previous two outings on all-weather. Makes stable/handicap debut in first time cheekpieces following 17-month absence (gelded in the interim) and he's one to note in the betting.

Form: 622/

(2)

Cheshire Dancer¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: David Probert| T: H Palmer| OR: 79| D

13/2

Below form final outing of last season and underperformed on reappearance when tenth of 14 in handicap at Chester (7.6f, good, 14/1) 17 days ago. Can be competitive off this mark but needs to bounce back.

Form: 14726-0

(1)

Midnight's Dream³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian| OR: 78| CD

11/4

C&D winner in a Class 5 handicap last month. Respectable sixth of 16 in handicap (16/1) at Chelmsford City (8f) 38 days ago and should give a good account back on turf.

Form: 53-1516

(7)

Encourageable²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Rossa Ryan| T: M Appleby| OR: 76| D

5/1

Offered something to work on first outing since leaving James Horton after 3 months off, creditable third of 9 in handicap at Yarmouth (8f, good to firm, 15/2) 25 days ago. Well treated on old form and yard tend to do well with this type.

Form: 87-0783

(6)

Shaladar^p⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Jack Callan⁽⁷⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 71| D

11/1

Fair form when fourth of 7 in handicap (9/2) at Pontefract (8f, good) on first run following 5 months off (had gone well fresh in the past). Needs to step forward if he's to capitalise on his falling mark.

Form: 42374-4

(9)

Most Wanted¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: Marco Ghiani| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 65

100/1

Lightly-raced maiden had a breathing operation prior to his handicap debut (following 5 months off) but proved too keen, finishing 25/1, last of 6 in handicap at Windsor (10f, good to firm) 14 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 3332/6

Non-Runners

(8)

Global Skies²⁶⁹

Weight: 9-11| Age: 4

T: B Brookhouse J: Daniel Muscutt

(4)

Jodhpur Blue¹¹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: Ian Williams J: D C Costello

Forecasts

Duke's Command (15/8), Midnight's Dream (11/4), Encourageable (5/1), Cheshire Dancer (13/2), Dutch Decoy (13/2), Shaladar (11/1), Global Skies (14/1), Jodhpur Blue (20/1), Most Wanted (100/1)

This is a marked drop in class for DUTCH DECOY who may be able to capitalise on his tumbling handicap mark, with Jamie Spencer an interesting jockey booking. Encouragable shaped with promise on first run for a yard that so often improve stable switchers, while C&D winner Midnight's Dream is respected back on turf following a creditable effort on the all-weather last month.