3yo+ 0–95 | £17,500 | Pace: Even to slightly steady | Draw bias: inside stalls favoured (1–4 best)
A fair Class 3 handicap featuring several upwardly mobile 3yos meeting battle-hardened older types.
Race Shape & Tactical Picture
No guaranteed front-runner; several prefer to track the pace. An even to modest gallop is likely, making positional sense and draw important. Inside gates (1–4) generally hold an advantage when the field compresses turning for home on easing ground.
Main Contenders
1. Warrant Holder (P) – John & Thady Gosden / J. Doyle
Lightly raced Frankel colt with a high-class profile. Beat the St Leger runner-up Rahiebb at Newcastle in March and shaped with clear promise when second at Newmarket (10f, good) on reappearance under a penalty. Now up to 12f – a move that looks tailor-made on pedigree (dam a 1m4f winner). RPR 98 off a mark of 90 suggests he’s still 6-8lb ahead of the assessor. Drawn well (3) and fitter second up.
Score: 9.5/10 – Well-handicapped and improving; major chance.
2. Hopewell Rock (p/P) – G. Boughey / B. Loughnane
Did best work late in a strong Doncaster 10f handicap; may have won had the tempo been stronger. Lightly raced, and up 3lb looks lenient. Up to 1m4f and softish ground both positives. Yard flying (33% last fortnight). If pace is genuine, he’ll finish hard.
Score: 8.5/10 – Progressive; big danger if race isn’t muddling.
3. Sovereign Sea (p) – R. Varian / R. Dawson
Hard to knock consistency but now 0-8. Latest Doncaster second (RPR 100) was close to his limit; now up 2f from a wide stall (9). Shapes as if he’ll stay, but his finishing effort often flattens slightly.
Score: 7.5/10 – Reliable but vulnerable to improvers.
4. Spinning Wheel (P) – S&E Crisford / J. Mitchell
Returned from three months off with a staying-on second at Ayr (13f, good-soft). Should strip much fitter and gets favoured inside berth (2). By Postponed, stamina assured. Yard’s 3yos often improve sharply second run back.
Score: 7.5/10 – Unexposed; can outrun his mark. EW contender.
5. Feigning Madness (p) – R. Beckett / H. Crouch
Dropped from Group races into this Class 3. Handles ease and bred for 12f. Best figures earlier in the season (RPR 101) give him a squeak if refinding that level, but he’s lacked spark of late.
Score: 6.5/10 – Class drop helps; risky but not dismissed.
6. Chillingham (Exposed) – E. Bethell / D. Tudhope
Capable 91-rated performer but lacks tactical pace and looks anchored by current mark.
Score: 6/10 – Place claims only.
7. The Rest (Oviedo, Our ’enery, Who’s Glen) – All need revival or massive step forward.
Scores: 4–5/10 – Unlikely to threaten.
Red / Blue Team View
Red (Can Win Today): Warrant Holder, Hopewell Rock, Spinning Wheel
Blue (Place/Pace Only): Sovereign Sea, Feigning Madness, Chillingham
Private Tissue (Raceform Estimate)
Runner
Odds
Win%
Warrant Holder
9/4
30%
Hopewell Rock
3/1
25%
Sovereign Sea
9/2
18%
Spinning Wheel
7/1
12%
Feigning Madness
10/1
8%
Chillingham
14/1
5%
Others
25/1+
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Each-Way Angles
Spinning Wheel – second-up improvement expected; trip and ground ideal, drawn low for tactical position.
Feigning Madness – big class drop, could outrun odds if freshened.
Summary & Smart Play (Pro Punter View)
A steadily-run 1m4f handicap likely to favour handy, progressive types. Warrant Holder looks the best-in on figures (RPR 98 vs OR 90), with both trip and draw in his favour. Hopewell Rock is the obvious danger if they go a proper gallop, while Spinning Wheel appeals most for each-way purposes given fitness and set-up.
Smart Play generated by ChatGPT
Top Win Bet: Warrant Holder – well-in, strong trainer form, perfect setup.
Each-Way Saver: Spinning Wheel – fitter today, inside draw, improving profile.