May 17 / 13.05 Newmarket

13.05

Good

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

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
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Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 00-718 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Won at Musselburgh (7f, good to soft) last month; this 8yo couldn't get into it off this revised mark at Chester last week, but he's effective here (third in this in 2023 on good) and is not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:25 Thirsk

Persuasion

9st 5lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: David & Nicola Barron

9yo who capitalised on some leniency from the handicapper to win at Musselburgh (7f, good) three weeks ago; goes well there but he's a C&D winner too and he should be in the thick of things again from just 2lb higher.

6/1

1st

3

(1)

26th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 4

17:45 Musselburgh

Persuasion

9st 8lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: David & Nicola Barron

9yo who hasn't been at the top of his game on either start this season but wasn't beaten far when sixth of ten over C&D three weeks ago and he's down to a tempting mark; won over C&D last April; possible contender.

7/1

Form: /30-21 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Glimpses of considerable promise during light campaigns in 2023 and 2024, and this lightly raced 4yo won a maiden at Leicester (7f, good to firm) last Saturday on his second stable start; however, he now goes handicapping off a lofty mark and will need a bigger performance today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(4)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Sandown

Dark Tornado

9st 7lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

There was no return to his peak form on his recent stable and seasonal debut at Newmarket (7f, good) but it wasn't a bad performance and he could improve for that run; might not be far away; watch the betting.

20/1

8th

1

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:50 Newmarket

Dark Tornado

9st 9lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Absent since below-par run last August on final start for Denis Quinn (same ownership); however, this lightly raced 5yo returns after wind surgery and he won this last year (good to firm); no surprise if he has a big say.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: -52284 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Faded into 3l fourth over 1m here (good) a fortnight ago, having looked a major threat 1f out; the drop back in trip could be ideal and he's respected off the same mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(11)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:42 Newmarket

Sterling Knight

9st 11lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Ed Dunlop

Having dropped 1lb below his last winning mark he returned to form when third of 13 over C&D a fortnight ago (good to firm; Final Night second); he can be in the mix back up 1lb if backing up that latest performance.

8/1

3rd

8

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:55 Newmarket

Sterling Knight

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ed Dunlop

Fine stable servant with 11 wins to his name, although recent efforts have been underwhelming; only seventh of ten at the Craven meeting here and he needs to be revived by the presence of Ryan Moore in the saddle.

18/1

Form: 2123-5 D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Disappointing favourite at Goodwood on reappearance but perhaps the track and the drop back to 6f were against him; progressive in handicaps last season and this lightly raced 4yo could still have more to offer for a top trainer who has won two of the last four runnings of this race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(10)

3rd Jul 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:48 Kempton (AW)

Waleefy

9st 7lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: William Haggas

Had some useful handicap form over 6f and 7f last year, winning twice and running well at Newbury (7f, good to firm) last August when rated 4lb higher; not found his best form this season and now returns to AW with cheekpieces enlisted; revival possible.

8/1

5th

4

(5)

20th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:23 Redcar

Waleefy

9st 13lb

J: Adam Farragher

T: William Haggas

Two wins during a progressive 3yo campaign but he's been well held as favourite in his two runs (6f/7f) this season; has bit to prove but he's edging back down the weights and this new trip looks worth exploring.

3/1

4

(4)

17th May 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

13:05 Newmarket

Waleefy

9st 5lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Disappointing favourite at Goodwood on reappearance but perhaps the track and the drop back to 6f were against him; progressive in handicaps last season and this lightly raced 4yo could still have more to offer for a top trainer who has won two of the last four runnings of this race.

11/4

15/2

Form: 32108-

Last run: 189 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Down the field in Listed races on final two outings last season but progressive in handicaps previously and she reappears with her yard going well; could get back on track with a good performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(2)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 37y

Class 1

14:25 Haydock

Vicario

9st 4lb

J: David Probert

T: Ed Walker

Registered her sole success in Class 4 handicap at Haydock a year ago; faces a much stiffer assignment back here and her Listed record is duly unconvincing.

25/1

10th

7

(8)

25th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

19:48 York

Vicario

9st 6lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Ed Walker

Suited by the step up to 1m the last twice, finishing third in a handicap here then fifth in a Listed race at Pontefract; this new trip is worth a go (despite her speedy pedigree on dam's side) but she has plenty to find.

50/1

5th

11

(8)

8th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 1

15:10 Pontefract

Vicario

9st 2lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Recorded her sole win over 6f; respectable third upped to 1m in York handicap most recently and is unexposed over this distance; however, well held in previous Listed attempts and has plenty to find.

33/1

Form: 1130-6 D BF

Last run: 122 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
2-2 on turf having won maiden/novice races at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) last summer; good third on handicap debut at Southwell (7f, AW) in October; two lesser runs have followed and he needs to raise his game, but perhaps the return to turf and first-time cheekpieces will help
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(1)

17th May 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

13:05 Newmarket

Harvard Sound

9st 2lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Tom Clover

2-2 on turf having won maiden/novice races at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) last summer; good third on handicap debut at Southwell (7f, AW) in October; two lesser runs have followed and he needs to raise his game, but perhaps the return to turf and first-time cheekpieces will help

7/1

7

(1)

17th May 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

13:05 Newmarket

Harvard Sound

9st 2lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Tom Clover

2-2 on turf having won maiden/novice races at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) last summer; good third on handicap debut at Southwell (7f, AW) in October; two lesser runs have followed and he needs to raise his game, but perhaps the return to turf and first-time cheekpieces will help

7/1

6th

2

(5)

15th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 4

13:38 Southwell (AW)

Harvard Sound

9st 10lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Tom Clover

Absent since looking a non-stayer in better race over 1m eight weeks ago; broadly progressive over 7f (including at Southwell) otherwise, producing form figures of 2113; possibilities back down in trip/grade.

13/2

Form: 6312-0 CD

Last run: 48 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on reappearance at Doncaster in May but may have needed the run; won twice during a progressive campaign last season (good to firm/good to soft; including C&D) and she's not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(12)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:42 Wetherby

Madame De Sevigne

9st 8lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John Butler

Twice a 7f winner, including from this mark, in 2024; recent AW form has been significantly better than that on turf; cheekpieces now tried but she has a bit to prove on this surface.

12/1

8th

3

(10)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 2y

Class 4

15:45 Musselburgh

Madame De Sevigne

10st 0lb

J: Jack Callan

T: John Butler

Inconsistent but she returned to form with a close third at Lingfield (7f, AW) this month on her third stable start; she's fine at 1m and on turf and can be in the mix if backing up that latest performance.

7/1

3rd

1

(8)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

13:30 Lingfield (AW)

Madame De Sevigne

10st 2lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John Butler

Dual 7f winner on turf, but 0-6 on the AW albeit runner-up on three occasions; hasn't shown much in two starts for this yard, though, and others make greater appeal.

11/2

Form: 1442-2 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Yet to cross the line in front (last August's win came when promoted due to a technicality) but this lightly raced 5yo is very consistent and finished second on his recent stable and seasonal debut at Newcastle (7f, AW); there's every chance he'll again be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

1

(20)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Leadman

9st 13lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Has an underwhelming strike-rate, given his ability, but he was second of 22 off a good mark over C&D eight days ago and would surely have gone very close had he not met trouble in running from well off the pace; the problems today are that he's back up 4lb, drawn even wider and has another big field to negotiate his way through; huge player but plenty needs to go right.

6/1

2nd

3

(18)

15th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:45 York

Leadman

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Has an underwhelming strike-rate, given his ability, and brings a doubt over current form; otherwise attractively treated off a mark 3lb lower than the one he defied at the 2025 Newmarket July festival.

12/1

6th

6

(3)

1st May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:05 Newmarket

Leadman

8st 6lb

J: Connor Planas

T: David O’Meara

He has a modest strike-rate for one of his ability (2-19) and needs everything to drop right; however, he's well treated on last year's best efforts and may have needed his recent reappearance run at Thirsk; not ruled out.

8/1

Non-runners

Physique

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Waleefy

TOPSPEED:

Madame De Sevigne

The Times:

Leadman

RP RATINGS:

Sterling Knight

The Star:

Dark Tornado

Daily Mail:

Persuasion

NEWMARKET:

Waleefy

Telegraph:

Waleefy

The Sun:

Waleefy

D Express:

Madame De Sevigne

Daily Mirror:

Madame De Sevigne

The Guardian:

Leadman

Daily Record:

Leadman

POSTDATA:

Sterling Knight