Sixth Race 8.00

The Racing Welfare

HANDICAP STAKES

(CLASS 5)

for four yrs old and upwards x Total prize fund £9650 Owners Prize Money 1st £3984, 2nd £1993, 3rd £996, 4th £498, 5th £249 (Penalty Value £5050.80)

City Selections

A comfortable winner over C&D last time out, JENSON BENSON must hold every chance of going in again off a 3lb higher mark. The five-year-old gets the vote ahead of

The Bay Warrior, who has been knocking on the door of late, and Newcastle winner Western Beat. Narrowly denied over C&D last month, Persian Wolf is capable of being in the shake-up as well.

Leading course trainer (17-22): P McEntee (26 wins from 299 runners, 9%) runs PERSIAN WOLF

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): G Baker (1 win from 6 runners, 17%) runs CONFILS

Longest Traveller: WESTERN BEAT trained by M & D Easterby, Sheriff Hutton, 212 miles.

(IRE) (28) 124-405 D

Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) - Lady Bones (IRE)

Gainedthirdsuccessof2022atGoodwood(11.2f)inSeptember.Solid offatKempton(11f)inJanuarybutnotmatchedthateitheroutingsince.

(IRE) (42) 0002-20

Ch c New Approach (IRE) - Maoineach (USA)

Maidenwhoranuptobestwhenrunner-upatWolverhampton(9.5f)inJanuaryandpossiblyfoundracecomingtoosoon backatthatvenue3dayslater Changedhandsfor19,000gnssinceandnosurprisetoseehimbounceback.

3 JENSON BENSON (IRE) (20) 20-4361 CD

Br B g Kodi Bear (IRE) - Star Fire

TIMEFORM VIEW 4-time course winner who proved well served by return to this trip when landing a C&D handicap 3 weeks ago, stayingontoleadfinal100yds.Recordhereisaverysolidoneandpossibilitiesagainfrom3lbhighermark. TFRHHHHI BHA70

4 THE BAY WARRIOR (IRE) (14) 042-424 CD BF 5 9-3 (4)

Br B g The Gurkha (IRE) - Fraulein Rhys Clutterbuck J

O Andy & Lizzie Cova Mark Usher, Lambourn T

B Diomed Bloodstock Ltd Tote S

TIMEFORM VIEW Dual C&D winner who comes here in good form, respectable fourth of 8 in handicap at this C&D 14daysago,doingtoomuchtoosoon.However,he’syettodefyamarkthishigh. TFRHHHII BHA64

5 WESTERN BEAT (IRE) (48) 00246-1 CD

5 9-3 (5)

Br Ch m Mehmas (IRE) - Western Sky Joanna Mason J

O Mark Hickling Racing Michael & David Easterby, Sheriff Hutton T

B Colin Kennedy

TIMEFORMVIEW C&DwinnerwhobouncedrightbacktoherbestwhencomfortablydoublinghercareertallyatNewcastle(10f) 48daysago,wellsuitedbythestronggallopatthetrip.Ratesaliveplayerfrom5lbhighermarkhere TFRHHHHH BHA64

6 MC’TED (GB) (91) 123033- D

Br B g Garswood - Granny McPhee

O Mr Stuart Bond

5 9-2 (3)

Alice Bond (7) J

Joseph Parr, Newmarket T

B Mr Allan McNamee Joseph Parr Racing S

TIMEFORMVIEWConsistenttypewhotastedsuccesstwiceonturflastyear,latterlyatNewmarket(10f)inAugust.Creditablethirdin 14-runnerC&DhandicapwhenlastseeninDecemberandworthnotinghehasgonewellfreshpreviously TFRHHHII BHA63

7 CONFILS (FR) (240) 03160/4- D

7 9-1 (7)

Br B m Olympic Glory (IRE) - Mambo Mistress (USA) Trevor Whelan J

O Confidence Partnership

George Baker, Chiddingfold T

B E.A.R.L Haras de Mandore Vortex Shipbroking S

TIMEFORMVIEW3-timewinneronturfearlierincareerbutfinishedwellheldlastof4atBrighton(10f)whenlastseenin Julyoflastyear Yettoprovehimselfaseffectiveonartificialsurfaces.

TFRHHIII BHA62

Br Ch g Slade Power (IRE) - Riobamba (USA)

O The Win Or Booze Racing Syndicate

B E. Lynam

Phil McEntee, Newmarket T

TIMEFORMVIEWOffthemarkforpresentyardoverC&DinDecemberandkeptbusysubsequently,justunabletogetbyaveteranonagoing dayinaC&Damateurriders’event20daysago.Only1lbhigherbutmoreonhisplateinthisstrongercompany TFRHHHII BHA51

DECLARED RUNNERS 8

Blinkers worn by No. 8. Tongue Strap worn by No. 2. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 2, 4.

Stewards Note:

DUNDORY: Following its run on 2/2/2023 it was reported that the horse did not face the kickback.

Probable S.P’s: 11-4 Jenson Benson (IRE), 9-2 The Bay Warrior (IRE), 5-1 Western Beat (IRE), 13-2 Mc’ted (GB), 7-1 Toophan (IRE), 8-1 Persian Wolf (IRE), 22-1 Confils (FR), 28-1 Dundory (IRE)

WESTERN BEAT was well served by the demands of a well-run race returned to 1 1/4m when comfortably landing an amateur riders’ handicap at Newcastle in January and she looks a big player again from a 5lb higher mark. Fellow last-time-out winner, Jenson Benson goes particularly well here and is feared, with Toophan another worth a second look.