Fourth Race 3.30 The Ivan Ayris 70th Birthday June

Handicap Stakes (Class 4)

for four yrs old and upwards x Total prize fund £10000

1st

Owners Prize Money. 1st £4129, 2nd £2065, 3rd £1032, 4th £516, 5th £258. (Penalty Value £5234) colours no horse

1 MAXI BOY (GB) (630) 002352/-

Br B g Oasis Dream - Lavender And Lace Oisin Murphy

O Amo Racing Limited Michael Bell, Newmarket

B Al-Baha Bloodstock Sports Invest UK Ltd S

TIMEFORMVIEWElevenrunssincelastwinin2019.4/1,creditablesecondof7inhandicapatYarmouth(7f,good)whenlastseeninSeptember2021 (gelded since).Subsequent absence an obvious concern but would be a big player if resuming at the top of his game

2 GOLDEN SPICE (USA) (87) 10020-0 CD

Br B f Golden Horn - Punita (USA)

O Mr Abdulla Al Mansoori George Margarson, Newmarket

B Rabbah Bloodstock LLC

TIMEFORMVIEW C&D winner. Last of 10 in handicap at Chelmsford City (7f, 18/1) 87 days ago Since undergone a wind op and she looks vulnerable in this competitive race. TFRHHIII BHA86

3 ERNIE’S VALENTINE (GB) (11) 0226-03 C

4 9-8 (7)

Br Gr g Havana Gold (IRE) - Eastern Destiny Tom Marquand J

O Williams, Campbell, Sennett & Cole Paul & Oliver Cole, Whatcombe T

B Worksop Manor Stud P. F. I. Cole Ltd S

TIMEFORM VIEW Course winner Respectable third of 9 in handicap (12/1) at Goodwood (7f, good to firm)

11 days ago, nearest finish. Not taken lightly off 1lb lower here with Tom Marquand aboard.

4 AMBER ISLAND (IRE) (17) 03-0400 CD 6 9-8 (2)

Br B m Exceed And Excel (AUS) - Raphinae Laura Pearson (3) J

O David Lowe David Loughnane, Tern Hill T

B Godolphin Galloways Bakers Ltd, Dave Loughnane Racing S

TIMEFORMVIEWC&D winner Twelfth of 15 in handicap atThirsk (7f,good,40/1) 17 days ago,merely passing beaten rivals Cheekpieces on 1st time. TFRHIIII BHA84

5 ABOVE (FR) (31) 020-500 D

6 9-8 (3)

Br B g Anjaal - Broken Applause (IRE) Marco Ghiani J

O Mr N Boyden and Mr C Harrold Stuart Williams, Newmarket T

B Mr J. Kilpatrick & Mme D. Ades Hazan Ajn Steelstock Ltd S

TIMEFORMVIEWEleven runs since last win in 2021.Below form thirteenth of 21 in handicap (28/1) at Newmarket (6f,soft) 31 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Needs to bounce back but dangerous to discount having slipped to an attractive mark. TFRHHHII BHA84

6 MAKEEN (GB) (19) 3040-03 D

6 9-4 (5)

Br B g Dubawi (IRE) - Estidraaj (USA) Ryan Sexton (3) J

O Verity, Pritchard & Simpson Julie Camacho, Malton T

B Shadwell Estate Company Limited McIvors.co.uk S

TIMEFORMVIEW 9/2, good third of 8 in handicap at Newmarket (7f, good) 19 days ago, finishing with running left. Very much one to consider off the same mark. TFRHHHHH BHA80

7 THAPA VC (IRE) (13) 0041-51 D

Br B g The Gurkha (IRE) - Merritt Island

5 9-1 (1)

David Egan J

O The Circle of five Mark Rimell, Witney T

B Mr J. Kelsey Fry

TIMEFORM VIEW Seven wins from 23 Flat runs 13/2, career best when winning 9-runner handicap at Yarmouth (7f, good to firm) 13 days ago, well ridden More on his plate up 3lb in stronger race.

8 TOUCHWOOD (IRE) (14) 062-033

Br B g Invincible Spirit (IRE) - Aaraamm (USA)

TFRHHHII BHA77

5 9-0 (4)

Billy Loughnane (3) J

O Mr David Edward Balfe Ruth Carr, Stillington T

B Mabaki Investments XRE Construction Training Ltd S

TIMEFORM VIEW Creditable third of 8 in handicap at Ayr (7.2f, good to firm, 11/1) 14 days ago, slowly away.

Each-way chance with Billy Loughnane aboard.

9 ROYAL MUSKETEER (GB) (19) 60460-2 D

Br B g Acclamation - Queen’s Pearl (IRE)

O S and S Racing

TFRHHHII BHA76

5 8-11 (6)

P. J. McDonald J

Steph Hollinshead, Rugeley T

B Galadari Sons Stud Company Limited Fitzdares Limited, Tote S

TIMEFORM VIEW 13/2, good second of 8 in handicap at Newmarket (7f, good) 19 days ago By no means certain to confirm the placings with the third, Makeen, but likely to give another good account all the same. TFRHHHII BHA73

DECLARED RUNNERS 9

2022: GLOBAL ESTEEM (IRE) 5 9 10 Silvestre De Sousa 15-2 (Chris Dwyer) 12 ran

Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn first time by No 4. Tongue Strap worn by No 3, 5, 7. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No 3. Running for the first time since Gelding No. 1. Running for the first time since Wind Surgery No. 2.

Stewards Note: GOLDEN SPICE: Following its run on 11/3/2023 it was reported that the horse ran too freely.

MAKEEN: Following its run on 18/5/2023 it was reported that the horse was denied a clear run late-on.

Probable S.P’s: 10-3 Makeen (GB), 5-1 Royal Musketeer (GB), 11-2 Ernie’s Valentine (GB), 13-2 Maxi Boy (GB), 7-1 Thapa VC (IRE), 10-1 Touchwood (IRE), 12-1 Above (FR), 25-1 Golden Spice (USA), 50-1 Amber Island (IRE)

Compensation awaits MAKEEN, who surely would’ve won had he got the breaks at Newmarket, an effort which suggests that he’s in top form. Ernie’s Valentine put in good late work when third at Goodwood last time and, likely to benefit from the return to a stiffer track (sole turf win was gained here as a 2-y-o), he looks a big threat. Maxi Boy is also feared, despite the lengthy absence, and Royal Musketeer, who was a place ahead of the unlucky-in-running Makeen at Newmarket, also has claims

TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.MAKEEN 2.ERNIE’S VALENTINE 3.MAXI BOY

First Second Time

Today’s Race Result

Third Fourth Distance

Horse Welfare at Leicester Racecourse

At every meeting at Leicester Racecourse there are two specially-qualified equine vets appointed to look after the welfare of all horses in action. During the race one vet will be following the runners and can attend to a horse in the same response time as the Paramedic Teams responsible for treating injured jockeys The second vet is based below the stewards box in the grandstand, is in radio contact with his colleague following the runners, and can respond immediately to any uncovered emergency. In addition there is a third vet, a British Horseracing Authority Veterinary team and the stewards

The Racecourse also employs a specialist Horse Ambulance Team, equipped with a modern equine ambulance to enable injured horses to be transported safely to a veterinary hospital for treatment. It is now standard practice for screens to be erected around any horse receiving veterinary attention on the course This does not reflect on the severity of an injury, but allows the vet some privacy in which to administer treatment and provides the horse with a calm environment in which to make a recovery. Please do not assume the worst if you see screens erected around a fallen horse Happy 70th www.leicester-racecourse.com