RACE 6 8.25

THE MAURICE ADAMS MEMORIAL HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5)

for three yrs old and upwards

Total prize fund £8650

(For conditions of this race see page 47)

In Memory Of Maurice Adams

SEVEN FURLONGS, Straight Course (7f)

Leading course trainer (17-22): R Hannon (55 wins from 469 runners, 12%) runs NIGHT ARC

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): R Hannon (5 wins from 69 runners, 7%) runs NIGHT ARC

Longest Traveller: AL MOTASIM trained by H Palmer, Malpas, 155 miles.

RACE FACTS: BREEDING J JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER FORM Br BREEDER S SPONSOR

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

COLOURS NO HORSE/DAYS SINCE LAST RUN

1 CAPOTE’S DREAM (IRE) (12)

Br g Dream Ahead (USA) - Capote West (USA) (Capote (USA))

FITORFAT RACING 1 Tom Ward, Upper Lambourn

Br Cn Farm Ltd S Smulders

TIMEFORMVIEW Prolific in 2021 but failed to add to his tally in handicaps last year However, he has made the frame on 3 of his 4 starts this time round, including over 6f here (firm) recently, and this step back up in trip may well work in his favour

2 BASTOGNE (IRE) (17)

4 10 1 (5)

Laura Coughlan (5) Thomas Faulkner Sue Maine Mark Frieze Deborah Faulkner, Chepstow

B g Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) - Wavebreak (Tiger Hill (IRE))

Br Ballinafad Stud S Valley Water Services Ltd

TIMEFORMVIEW Yet to add to 2-y-o maiden success and while he resumed with a creditable third of 8 off this mark on debut for new yard at Chepstow (7f, good to firm), others make more appeal from a win point of view

3 SECRET STRENGTH (IRE) (25)

B g Mehmas (IRE) - Midnight Destiny (IRE) (Dark Angel (IRE))

4 10 0 (10) BHA73

J Luke Catton (5)

The BeeGeeZ Jim Boyle, Epsom 550044 D

Br Austin Lyons S Jim Boyle Racing CP

TIMEFORM VIEW Modest strike rate (2-29) but arrives here on the back of a couple of creditable efforts in defeat, most notably when fourth in a 12-runner Class 2 handicap at Epsom (7f, good to firm) last time. Needs considering back down in class off a 1lb lower mark. TFRHHHHH

4 UNSUNG HERO (IRE) (195)

B c Iffraaj - Red Avis (Exceed And Excel (AUS))

Mr Donald Kerr & Wetumpka Racing

4 10 0 (9) BHA73

J Hollie Doyle

Heather Main, Wantage 201100- D

Br Epona Bloodstock Ltd S Caribtours Ltd. T

TIMEFORM VIEW Back-to-back winner at Kempton last September but well held final 2 starts of 2022 and likely to need this following a 6-month absence. Tongue strap applied.

5 LUNAR SPACE (IRE) (13)

Ch g Dawn Approach (IRE) - Luminaria (IRE) (Danehill (USA))

The Judges & Partner

Br J. S. Bolger

TFRHHIII

5 9 13 (4) BHA72

J Nicola Currie

Jamie Osborne, Upper Lambourn 00000-0 D

TIMEFORMVIEW Listed winner at the Curragh for Jim Bolger in April 2021 but hasn’t shown anything like that level of form since. Hard to recommend, for all that he continues to fall down the weights and is dropping to 0-75 company for the first time. TFRHIIII

6 RING OF LIGHT (GB) (230)

Gr g Mayson - Silver Halo (Paris House)

T A Frost & Simon Broke & Partners

Br Mr D. D. Oakes

5 9 13 (1) BHA72

Henry Candy, Wantage

J Dane O’Neill

526111- D

TIMEFORMVIEW Improved when runner-up on handicap debut at Newmarket last summer and winner of 7f/1m AW handicaps on final 3 starts of 2022. Nudged up just 2lb for latest success and this lightly-raced 5-y-o will be a danger to all if fully tuned-up following a break. TFRHHHII

7

NIGHT ARC (GB) (22)

B c Twilight Son - Gymnaste (IRE) (Shamardal (USA))

J Palmer-Brown, N. Woodcock and partner

Br Cheveley Park Stud Limited

4 9 12 (8) BHA71

J Thomas Greatrex

Richard Hannon, Marlborough 00/31-06

S Tote

TIMEFORMVIEW Improved when landing a 1 1/4m Leicester handicap on the second of just 2 appearances last season. Below that level both starts since returning from a 12-month absence but likely to be closer to concert pitch now and this drop back in trip may not be a bad thing.

8 PLUMETTE (GB) (33)

B m Compton Place - Belatorio (IRE) (Oratorio (IRE))

Jamie Rocke

Br Whitsbury Manor Stud

TFRHHHII

7 9 10 (11) BHA69

J Dougie Costello

Steph Hollinshead, Rugeley 216330 D BF

S J. J. Rocke General Builders Ltd

TIMEFORMVIEW Successful twice on the AW for David Loughnane since the turn of the year but well below par last time (albeit she was left poorly placed) and hasn’t won on turf for over 4 years.

9 KING OFTHE DANCE (IRE) (13)

B g Havana Gold (IRE) - Figurante (IRE) (Excellent Art)

HP Racing King Of The Dance

Br Mount Coote Stud

TFRHHIII

4 9 8 (3) BHA67

J Charles Bishop

Eve Johnson Houghton, Blewbury 3/602-0

S Tattersalls (Ireland) Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW Low-mileage 4-y-o who stepped up on previous exploits when good second in a 1m Kempton handicap last August. Failed to build on that when reappearing over C&D recently but that run was probably needed and he shaped well sole start on turf as a juvenile.

10

STARLIGHT NATION (IRE) (21)

TFRHHHII

3 9 6 (12) BHA74

B g Sioux Nation (USA) - Starlight Princess (IRE) (Mastercraftsman (IRE)) J Tom Marquand

Mrs C. J. Black Clive Cox, Hungerford 430641 D

Br Nick Cable S Clive Cox Racing Limited

TIMEFORM VIEW Gradual progress since switched to handicaps, off the mark at Leicester (7f, good) 3 weeks ago. 3lb rise is unlikely to debar another bold show with Tom Marquand again in the hot-seat.

11 AL MOTASIM (GB) (18)

TFRHHHHI

3 9 1 (2) BHA69

B g Lope deVega (IRE) - Maureen (IRE) (Holy Roman Emperor (IRE)) J Billy Loughnane (3)

Al Shaqab Racing Hugo Palmer, Malpas 360-25

Br Newsells Park Stud S Haras De Bouquetot CP

TIMEFORMVIEW Showed ability in 3 starts at 2 yrs and improved when runner-up on return/debut for new yard at Haydock (7f, good) where he was just ahead of Starlight Nation. Not in the same form at Goodwood since but now tried in cheekpieces and probably worth another chance. STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 9/6/2023 it was reported that the horse was not suited by the track. TFRHHHII

12

WADI BANI (GB) (25)

3 9 0 (7) BHA68

B g Oasis Dream - Semaral (IRE) (High Chaparral (IRE)) J Oisin Murphy

Stephen Tucker and Chris Howell

Seamus Durack, Upper Lambourn 0-30242

Br Moyns Park Estate and Stud Ltd S Tote T

TIMEFORMVIEW Remains winless following 10 attempts but ought to put that right before long having made the frame on 4 of his 5 starts since returning to action in March Latest second at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) was a creditable effort and he shouldn’t be far away. TFRHHHII

NUMBER OF DECLARED RUNNERS 12 (EXACTA)

Tongue Strap worn first time by No. 4. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn first time by No. 11. Tongue Strap worn by No. 1, 12. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 1, 3.

2022: ALABLAQ (IRE) 4 10 1 Hollie Doyle 11-4 (David Evans) 7 ran

Betting Forecast: 11-2 Starlight Nation (IRE), 6-1 Ring of Light (GB), 7-1 Wadi Bani (GB), 15-2 Al Motasim (GB), 8-1 Capote’s Dream (IRE), 10-1 Secret Strength (IRE), 12-1 Bastogne (IRE), King of The Dance (IRE), 14-1 Night Arc (GB), 22-1 Unsung Hero (IRE), 28-1 Plumette (GB), 66-1 Lunar Space (IRE)

Race Summary: Having performed with plenty of credit in a higher-grade handicap on Oaks day at Epsom, SECRET STRENGTH could be the answer to this competitive and open-looking contest. Starlight Nation has improved with each of his three starts since tackling handicaps and is feared greatly on the back of his Leicester success. Al Motasim failed to make an impact at Goodwood but remains of interest in view of his reappearance effort at Haydock, while Capote’s Dream and Ring of Light are also shortlisted.

1-2-3: 1.SECRET STRENGTH (IRE) 2.STARLIGHT NATION (IRE) 3.AL MOTASIM

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