RACE 7 9.00

THE BetVictor HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5)

for three yrs old and upwards

Total prize fund £8650

(For conditions of this race see page 47)

Leading course trainer (17-22): E Walker (21 wins from 170 runners, 12%) runs DE BRUYNE

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): E Walker (7 wins from 41 runners, 17%) runs DE BRUYNE

Longest Traveller: HURT YOU NEVER trained by A Nicholls, Sessay, 226 miles.

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

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

COLOURS NO HORSE/DAYS SINCE LAST RUN

1 PRINCE OF BEL LIR (IRE) (22)

B g Prince of Lir (IRE) - Harvest Joy (IRE) (Daggers Drawn (USA))

Stuart Bond

John Hutchinson CP

TIMEFORMVIEW Three-time scorer last term but yet to fire this season. Now 9lb below last winning mark but remains hard to recommend.

2 SARAH’SVERSE (GB) (12)

10 4 (2)

David Egan Mr N Sfrantzis Ronald Harris, Chepstow

B m Poet’sVoice - Sancai (USA) (Elusive Quality (USA))

13566 D Br Byerley Stud

TIMEFORMVIEW Having dropped below her last winning mark, bounced back to form when recording a fourth course success at Bath (5f) in April, albeit having a perfect trip along the inside rail. Not been in same form since, though. TFRHHIII

3 THE PRINCES POET (GB) (18)

B g Brazen Beau (AUS) - Poesy (Poet’sVoice)

5 10 2 (6) BHA70

HP Racing The Princes Poet Eve Johnson Houghton, Blewbury 143-014 D BF

Br Corps Commerce Ltd

S Abm Catering Limited

TIMEFORM VIEW Back to winning ways at Brighton (6f) earlier this month and had excuses (missed the break) when below that level at Goodwood since. Not out of things. STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 9/6/2023 it was reported that the horse was restless in the stalls. TFRHHHII

4 RICH RHYTHM (GB) (20)

B g Profitable (IRE) - Gift of Music (IRE) (Cadeaux Genereux)

4 10 0 (3) BHA68

J Hector Crouch

Clarendon Partnership Ralph Beckett, Kimpton Down 145-454

Br Littleton Stud

S R M Beckett Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW Shaped well when fourth of 12 in handicap at Kempton (7f) 20 days ago, left poorly placed. Still relatively unexposed and must enter calculations. STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 7/6/2023 it was reported that the horse was slowly away. TFRHHHII

5 DE BRUYNE (GB) (31)

B g Dutch Art - Danehill Revival (Pivotal)

David Ward

Br Cheveley Park Stud Limited

3 9 11 (7) BHA72

Ed Walker, Upper Lambourn

J Tom Marquand

031-60 D

S ABM Catering Facilities Management B

TIMEFORMVIEW Ended 2022 with victory in 6f Newcastle novice in December and far from disgraced in both outings this year, latest when seventh of 11 in handicap at Haydock (6f, good to firm) 31 days ago, worst of draw Blinkers now tried for first time.

6 HURTYOU NEVER (IRE) (13)

B f Dandy Man (IRE) - Kyllarney (Kyllachy)

A. Nicholls

Br Mount Coote Estates

TFRHHIII

4 9 9 (11) BHA63

Adrian Nicholls, Sessay

J Mia Nicholls (7)

203111 D

TIMEFORM VIEW At the top of her game, completing the hat-trick with bit to spare in handicap at Hamilton (6f, firm, 11/4) 13 days ago. 7lb higher now but another bold bid is on the cards.

TFRHHHHH

7

DUE DATE (GB) (31)

B g Due Diligence (USA) - Harryana To (Compton Place)

3 9 9 (1) BHA70

J John Fahy

Mr Nurlan Bizakov Clive Cox, Hungerford 0-5420

Br Whitsbury Manor Stud

S Sumbe Sas CP

TIMEFORM VIEW Lightly-raced maiden who wasn’t seen to best effect (poorly drawn) when eighth of 11 in handicap at Haydock (6f, good to firm) 31 days ago. Better showing anticipated with cheekpieces now enlisted. TFRHHHII

8 JAX EDGE (GB) (17)

3 9 9 (10) BHA70

J Gina Mangan (3) International Plywood (Importers) Ltd Christopher Mason, Caerwent 61-4141 D

B f Cable Bay (IRE) - Bright Edge (Danehill Dancer (IRE))

Br Christopher and Annabelle Mason Racing

TIMEFORMVIEW Resumed progress when winning 5-runner handicap at Chepstow (5.1f, good to firm, 15/8) 17 days ago, staying on to lead final 50 yds. This is more competitive but she warrants plenty of respect.

9 IGNAC LAMAR (IRE) (21)

TFRHHHHI

3 9 7 (9) BHA68

B g Dandy Man (IRE) - Bratislava (Dr Fong (USA)) J Oisin Murphy

Crown Connoisseurs Rod Millman, Cullompton 502503 D

Br John Grogan

S Millman Racing Club, Rod Millman Racing Ltd T

TIMEFORM VIEW Bounced back to form when good third of 7 in handicap at Leicester (7f, good) 21 days ago. Others look better treated, though. Tongue strap back on. TFRHHIII

10 PAPABELLA (GB) (22)

3 9 4 (4) BHA65

B f Ardad (IRE) - Plauseabella (Royal Applause) J Rob Hornby

Mrs Gill Shire Stuart Kittow, Cullompton 34-0

Br Mrs Gill Shire

S A Plus Accountancy & Business Solutions Limited, John Luffman Group Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW Thrice-raced maiden. No signs of improvement when seventh of 12 in minor event at Windsor (6f, good to firm) on return earlier this month and something to prove on handicap debut.

11 KATAR (IRE) (14)

TFRHHIII

3 9 2 (8) BHA63

B g Kessaar (IRE) - Applauding (IRE) (Royal Applause) J Rhiain Ingram (3) Richenda Ford Racing Club Richenda Ford, Blandford Forum 356602

Br Tiger Bloodstock S Sturminster Newton Building Supplies T

TIMEFORMVIEW Returned to form, on debut for new yard, when close second of 9 in handicap at Salisbury (6f, firm) 14 days ago. Entitled to build on that and is just 1lb higher now. Tongue strap on first time. TFRHHHII

NUMBER OF DECLARED RUNNERS 11 (EXACTA)

Blinkers worn first time by No. 5. Tongue Strap worn first time by No. 11.

Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn first time by No. 7. Tongue Strap worn by No. 9.

Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 1.

2022: SILENT FLAME 4 10 1 Ross Coakley 9-2 (Rod Millman) 10 ran

Betting Forecast: 7-2 Hurt You Never (IRE), 13-2 Jax Edge (GB), 7-1 Rich Rhythm (GB), 8-1 Katar (IRE), 9-1 The Princes Poet (GB), 10-1 Ignac Lamar (IRE), 12-1 Due Date (GB), 14-1 De Bruyne (GB), 25-1 Sarah’s Verse (GB), Papabella (GB), 28-1 Prince of Bel Lir (IRE)

Race Summary: HURT YOU NEVER is very much a filly in form and is taken to defy a 7lb rise in the handicap for her latest success. Jax Edge and Rich Rhythm head the list of dangers.

1-2-3: 1.HURT YOU NEVER (IRE) 2.JAX EDGE 3.RICH RHYTHM