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

11th

1

(11)

24th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

16:35 Carlisle

Persuasion

10st 2lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: David & Nicola Barron

Made it 2-3 at Musselburgh when winning there over 7f in April off a 1lb lower mark than today's; beaten only 4l when seventh of 19 at York (7f, good) 11 days ago but stamina has to be a concern on just his third try over a 1m.

14/1

7th

11

(4)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:25 York

Persuasion

9st 7lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: David & Nicola Barron

Won at Musselburgh (7f, good) in April, making it 2-3 at the Edinburgh venue, and he's just 2lb higher today; can't be totally dismissed but this 9yo is inconsistent and was soundly beaten at Thirsk (7f, good) last time.

33/1

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

6th

7

(9)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Dark Tornado

9st 5lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Has gained both handicap wins off a mark of 90, including when beating Aalto over C&D (good to firm) latest start; could go well but needs a career-best performance to defy a penalty; 1lb badly in.

16/1

1st

6

(9)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

12:45 Newmarket (July)

Dark Tornado

9st 4lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Promising stable debut in the race won by Superposition last month but he hasn't built on it in either start since; due to be 2lb lower from the weekend; others look stronger.

33/1

8th

5

(1)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Newmarket (July)

Dark Tornado

10st 2lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Made it two wins in a row when scoring off this mark on handicap debut on the other Newmarket course (7f, good to firm) last May; however, has to produce more than he's managed on his two runs this term; visor goes on.

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

3rd

6

(10)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket (July)

Sterling Knight

9st 12lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Ed Dunlop

Well beaten at Epsom on Oaks day and he still had work to do when his path was blocked late on over this C&D three weeks ago; however, before those he won in good style on the other Newmarket course (1m, good) and he won this race in 2024 (good to soft); capable of having a say.

16/1

13th

1

(6)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Newmarket (July)

Sterling Knight

10st 4lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Ed Dunlop

Disappointing at Epsom a fortnight ago but won on the other Newmarket course (1m, good) last month and he has a very solid record at this track, featuring a C&D win and 2l fourth in this last year; could bounce back.

14/1

17th

8

(1)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 2

16:40 Epsom

Sterling Knight

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ed Dunlop

Versatile regarding ground and he was winning his 12th race when beating Jimmy Speaking and Final Night at Newmarket (1m, good) three weeks ago; that was a comfortable win and he has the assistance of Ryan Moore but this demands more from him (has never won off a mark this high).

14/1

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

9th

4

(6)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:55 Newmarket (July)

Madame De Sevigne

9st 7lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: John Butler

Two wins for Robert Eddery came over a stiff, undulating 7f, so has that in her favour; lacked consistency for new yard, below par in first-time cheekpieces latest (headgear now off, tongue-tie on), but could easily bounce back.

7/1

7th

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

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

5th

6

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:10 Newmarket (July)

Leadman

9st 10lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: David O’Meara

Has performed well in two runs at the July festival, notably a win (off just 1lb lower) in this race last year; narrowly justified favouritism at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) latest start, setting up him well for a return to this track; respected.

9/2

1st

7

(8)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

19:30 Doncaster

Leadman

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Shaped very well when second in a big-field York handicap (7f) in May but he's twice failed to build on it, just a fair sixth back there (7f) eight days ago; handily weighted but it's now 13 runs since his last victory.

11/2

6th

6

(4)

12th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 York

Leadman

9st 12lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: David O’Meara

Has an underwhelming strike-rate, given his ability, and his two C&D runs last month (both good ground) rather sum him up, shaping very well when second of 22 at the Dante meeting but never involved when favourite eight days later; could pop up but it's likely things will need to drop this hold-up performer's way.

12/1

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