Newmarket

Tomorrow, May 3, 2025FlatClass 21m1f

Verdict

Plenty of interesting ones in this valuable handicap but none more so than HAND OF GOD, a fast-improving sort who won both his starts last season and promises to go on to even better things. Fox Legacy, Approval and Arabian Light complete the shortlist.

Hand Of God
Fox Legacy
Approval

1m1f Hcap Stks

Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 3 places

3. Hand Of God
J: Ryan MooreT: Harry Charlton
F: 451/11-
Price History:
3.50
Age:
4
Weight:
9-8
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
102
Days Since Last Run:
315
Verdict
Newmarket maiden winner who made a successful handicap debut/reappearance in 2024 in the Esher Cup at Sandown (1m) in April. Showed further improvement when following up in Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot (10f) and type to go on to even better things at 4 yrs. Has been gelded.
1. Arabian Light
J: William BuickT: Charlie Appleby
F: 211-31
Price History:
4.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-12
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
106
Days Since Last Run:
85
Verdict
Successful on 2 of his 3 starts last summer and resumed his progress with victory in 16-runner handicap at Meydan (9f, good) in February. Nudged up 6 lb but in excellent hands and further improvement certainly possible given his lightly-raced profile.
7. Approval
J: Tom MarquandT: William Haggas
F: 9/22171-
Price History:
-
Age:
4
Weight:
8-12
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
92
Days Since Last Run:
275
Verdict
Quickly developed into a useful performer in 2024, doing well under the circumstances (had to pick way through from 2f out) when winning 10-runner handicap at Goodwood (9.9f, good to firm) on his final outing of the year. Still lightly raced and could raise him game further as a 4-y-o.
11. Dutch Decoy
J: Joe FanningT: Charlie Johnston
F: 5324600-5
Price History:
11.00
Age:
8
Weight:
8-5
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
85
Days Since Last Run:
16
Verdict
Tough, useful handicapper who ran right up to his best when runner-up in Golden Mile at Goodwood in August. Ended the season below his best but the assessor has relented and he took a step back in the right direction when fifth of 8 at Ripon (1m) on his recent reappearance.
4. Galeron
J: Jason WatsonT: Charles Hills
F: 5262300-5
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
9-8
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
102
Days Since Last Run:
35
Verdict
Highly tried at 3 yrs for current yard and placed 4 times in Australia in 2024 when trained by A Neasham & R Archibald. Matched anything he's achieved previously when fifth of 22 in Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster last time, despite not being ideally placed. Could go well once more.
8. Fox Legacy
J: Oisin MurphyT: Andrew Balding
F: 74/24174-
Price History:
-
Age:
4
Weight:
8-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
90
Days Since Last Run:
210
Verdict
Took a giant step forward when running out a wide-margin winner of a Salisbury handicap (9.9f) in August. Ran creditably next 2 outings and may have more to offer this year given his physique. Has been gelded and left the now retired Sir Michael Stoute.
2. Sean
J: Saffie OsborneT: Jamie Osborne
F: 3464-0240
Price History:
-
Age:
8
Weight:
9-9
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
103
Days Since Last Run:
35
Verdict
Posted some smart handicap performances without getting his head in front season. However, strictly below the pick of his efforts in Dubai earlier this year when midfield in the Lincoln at Doncaster (1m) and others appeal more.
6. Silver Sword
J: David EganT: Dylan Cunha
F: 22-854016
Price History:
15.00
Age:
5
Weight:
8-13
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
93
Days Since Last Run:
21
Verdict
Drew a blank in 2024 but shaped well a couple of handicaps at Meydan earlier this year prior to winning one dropped back to 1m in March, showcasing a good turn of foot in the process. Seemed undone by a 4 lb rise in the weights at Newbury last time, however.
9. Born Ruler
J: Luke MorrisT: Sir Mark Prescott Bt
F: 15/222413-
Price History:
15.00
Age:
5
Weight:
8-9
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
89
Days Since Last Run:
288
Verdict
Successful twice in 2023 and gained reward for some consistent efforts when back to winning ways at Ayr (1¼m) in July. Solid effort on the July course later that month and is capable of going well fresh as he showed on his reappearance last season.
5. Bopedro
J: Sean LeveyT: David O'Meara
F: 5602030-6
Price History:
-
Age:
9
Weight:
9-2
Gear:
visor
Official Rating:
96
Days Since Last Run:
16
Verdict
Winless since scoring on the other course here in July 2023 but has put in a number of good shifts in strong handicaps since, including when third in the ultra-valuable Challenge Cup at Ascot (7f) in October. Ran below form on reappearance here 16 days ago, though.
10. Metallo
J: Silvestre De SousaT: Jack Channon
F: 74/83-2369
Price History:
26.00
Age:
4
Weight:
8-7
Gear:
blinkers
Official Rating:
87
Days Since Last Run:
21
Verdict
Remains with just one victory to his name back in summer 2023 and, whilst he's posted some good efforts on all-weather during the winter, he didn't impress back on turf on his most recent outing, hanging under pressure. Blinkers on for 1st time.
12. Desperate Dan
J: Warren FentimanT: Peter Chapple-Hyam
F: 80283126-
Price History:
21.00
Age:
4
Weight:
8-2
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
82
Days Since Last Run:
189
Verdict
Improved during second half of last season, landing a Nottingham handicap (8.3f, heavy) by 5 lengths in October. Beaten a whisker at Windsor next time and while he ended that campaign with a below-par effort, it would be no surprise to see him resume progress here.
13. Urban Sprawl
J: Joanna MasonT: Charlie Johnston
F: 34282146
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
8-2
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
82
Days Since Last Run:
7
Verdict
Back to winning ways at Lingfield (1m) in April but his last 2 efforts suggest he's summed up by his handicap mark.
Unnamed Favourite
Unnamed 2nd Favourite

Newmarket

Bet Slip