RACE 5 4.00

THE HIGHCLERE CASTLE GIN HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3)

for four yrs old and upwards

Total prize fund £25000

(For conditions of this race see page 47)

RACE FACTS:

Leading course trainer (17-22): E Walker (21 wins from 166 runners, 13%) runs POPMASTER

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): I Williams (5 wins from 30 runners, 17%) runs KIMIFIVE

Weightwatcher: PERSUASION won off a handicap mark of 93, his rating is now down 7lb to 86.

Longest Traveller: PERSUASION trained by D & N Barron, Thirsk, 237 miles.

HEADGEAR KEY: H HOOD B BLINKERS V VISOR E EYESHIELD T TONGUE STRAP CP

COLOURS NO HORSE/DAYS SINCE LAST RUN

1 POPMASTER (IRE) (26)

Gr g Gutaifan (IRE) - Best New Show (IRE) (Clodovil (IRE))

J Billy Loughnane (3)

Laurence Bellman Ed Walker, Upper Lambourn 006-000

Br Grangemore Stud

S ABM Catering Facilities Management

TIMEFORM VIEW Went without a win in 2022 but he posted some good efforts, notably when runner-up in the Wokingham at the Royal Meeting.Yet to fire this term but becoming well treated. STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 20/5/2023 it was reported that the horse slipped exiting the stalls.

2 LYNDON B (IRE) (20)

B g Charm Spirit (IRE) - Kelsey Rose (Most Welcome)

P.DuffyD.SemmensVWilliamsRHarperMLoveday

Stud

7 9 7

TIMEFORM VIEW Ended last year in top form and shaped as if he’d come on for his reappearance at Goodwood. Should be spot on now, so can’t be discounted.

3 TOP SECRET (GB) (26)

Ch g Anjaal - Just Devine (IRE) (Montjeu (IRE)) J Lewis Edmunds

Carmel Stud William Muir & Chris Grassick, Lambourn 50211-2 D

Br Carmel Stud S Tote H

TIMEFORM VIEW Completed a double at Kempton towards the end of last season and returned to action with a creditable second here last month. Drop to 7f is no issue and he’s likely to be on the premises.

4 MISTER BLUEBIRD (GB) (4)

Gr g Outstrip - Childesplay (Byron)

5 9 6 (in5lbex)(12) BHA82

J Connor Planas (5)

Dawn Aldham and Wetumpka Racing Heather Main, Wantage 500-231 D

Br Mr J P M Main & Mr Andrew Knott S Tote CP

TIMEFORM VIEW Likeable type who picked up his first win of this campaign in typically straightforward style at Goodwood 4 days ago. Should go well under a penalty if the race doesn’t come too soon.

5 ABLE KANE (GB) (20)

B g Due Diligence (USA) - Sugar Beet (Beat Hollow)

TFRHHHHI

6 9 5 (3) BHA86

Mr T. H. Chadney Rod Millman, Cullompton

Br Tom Chadney & Peter Green

J Ross Coakley

400-044 D

S Millman Racing Club, Rod Millman Racing Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW Ended 2022 below par and yet to hit top form so far this term, although there was more encouragement at Goodwood last time. Not completely dismissed.

6 PERSUASION (IRE) (19)

B g Acclamation - Effervesce (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))

TFRHHHII

6 9 5 (5) BHA86

J William Buick

Mr Laurence O’Kane David & Nicola Barron, Thirsk 02-0333 D BF

Br Norelands Bloodstock S Tote

TIMEFORM VIEW Is a long time without a win and needs things to drop right. He’s on a feasible mark, however, and his recent third at Haydock was encouraging.

TFRHHHHI

7 HICKORY (IRE) (36)

B g Free Eagle (IRE) - Badr Al Badoor (IRE) (Acclamation)

5 9 5 (10) BHA86

J Daniel Muscutt

Fred Archer Racing - Galliard James Fanshawe, Newmarket 1//11-44 D BF

Br Ms Anne Coughlan S Pegasus Stables LLP

TIMEFORM VIEW Latest win at Kempton in December 4/5, fourth of 6 in handicap at Kempton (7f) 36 days ago. Had been on the up prior to that and is worth a chance to get back on track returned to turf.

8 LETMELIVEMYLIFE (GB) (26)

5 9 2 (9) BHA83

B g Oasis Dream - Itiqad (Makfi) J Robert Havlin

Mr P. Abrahams Sean Curran, Swindon 411136 D

Br Houghton-Cranford Partnership

TIMEFORM VIEW Thrived on AW for current yard, landing hat-trick of 7f handicaps, latterly at Chelmsford (7f) in April. Has remained in form since but others look better treated. TFRHHIII

9 FLYING SECRET (GB) (14)

B g Showcasing - Secret Sense (USA) (Shamardal (USA))

4 8 9 (8) BHA76

J Mia Nicholls (7)

JacobsConstructionHoldings& Mr E Kelly Eve Johnson Houghton, Blewbury 2320-51 D

Br Newsells Park Stud S Jacobs Construction (Holdings) Limited

TIMEFORM VIEW Stripped fitter for reappearance and produced an improved showing to score at Yarmouth last time. Promising apprentice takes 7lb off, so he’s worthy of consideration. TFRHHHII

10 KING CABO (USA) (16) 4 8 6 (1) BHA73

B or Br g Carpe Diem (USA) - Cabo Queen (CAN) (More Than Ready (USA)) J David Egan Prof Di Lawrence-Watt Luke Dace, Billingshurst 2400-21 D

Br Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC S Luke Dace

TIMEFORM VIEW 11/2, career best when winning 7-runner handicap at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) 16 days ago, outbattling runner-up. Faces a much stiffer assignment back on turf in a more competitive race. TFRHHHII

11 KIMIFIVE (IRE) (258) 8 8 6 (11) BHA73

Ch g Born To Sea (IRE) - Appletreemagic (IRE) (Indian Danehill (IRE))

Mr Richard J. Gurr

Br Miss Annmarie Burke

J Luke Morris

Ian Williams, Alvechurch 006120- D

S Tote H

TIMEFORM VIEW Gained his first win in over 3 years at Epsom in August and ran to a similar level when second at Carlisle on next start. Struggled in stronger race at Ascot on final outing and best watched after 8 months off. TFRHHIII

12 SERGEANT TIBBS (GB) (8)

B g Bobby’s Kitten (USA) - BeautifulView (Dubawi (IRE))

The Highlife Racing Club

Br Mrs P. Good

5 8 5 (2) BHA72 (-2)

John Flint, Bridgend

J George Rooke

3-55204 C

TIMEFORM VIEW Course winner who wasn’t disgraced when fourth here 8 days ago. Tends to struggle in this grade of handicap, though. TFRHHIII

NUMBER OF DECLARED RUNNERS 12 (EXACTA)

Hood worn by No. 3, 11. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 2, 4.

2022:NO CORRESPONDING RACE LAST YEAR

Betting Forecast: 9-2 Hickory (IRE), 7-1 Persuasion (IRE), 15-2 Mister Bluebird (GB), 17-2 Top Secret (GB), 9-1 Popmaster (IRE), 10-1 Flying Secret (GB), 12-1 King Cabo (USA), 14-1 Able Kane (GB), 16-1

Lyndon B (IRE), 22-1 Sergeant Tibbs (GB), 28-1 Letmelivemylife (GB), 33-1 Kimifive (IRE)

Race Summary: HICKORY boasted a progressive profile prior to a minor blip at Kempton last time, so he’s fancied to resume winning ways returning to turf. Mister Bluebird is an obvious danger following his win at Goodwood and Persuasion could make his presence felt if the race is run to suit.

1-2-3: 1.HICKORY (IRE) 2.MISTER BLUEBIRD 3.PERSUASION (IRE)

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RESULT PANEL: