RACE 3 2.25

THE METTAL UK HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2)

for three yrs old and upwards

Total prize fund £75000

(For conditions of this race see page 64)

TWO MILES AND HALF A FURLONG

Leading course trainer (17-22): W Haggas (41 wins from 187 runners, 22%) runs NATHANAEL GREENE

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): W Haggas (9 wins from 46 runners, 20%) runs NATHANAEL GREENE

Fancy That: I Williams won this race in 2020 and 2022. The stable runs THE GRAND VISIR & ZINC WHITE today

Longest Travellers: EUCHEN GLEN & GEREMIA trained by J Goldie, Glasgow, 391 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 POSTILEO (IRE) (32) 6 9 12 (5) BHA98

B g Galileo (IRE) - Posterity (IRE) (Indian Ridge)

J David Egan

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum RogerVarian, Newmarket 2401/-16

Br Merry Fox Stud Limited

TIMEFORMVIEW

2 EUCHEN GLEN (GB) (14)

B g Authorized (IRE) - Jabbara (IRE) (Kingmambo (USA))

Mr W. M. Johnstone

TFRHHHII

Few miles on the clock for a 6-y-o and well prepared on back of 19 months off (also gelded) to score at Hamilton (13f) in May. Faded out of things when sixth in Copper Horse handicap (14f) at Royal Ascot 32 days ago and this mark demands a little more.

10 9 12 (11) BHA98

Jim Goldie, Glasgow

Br W. M. Johnstone S Jim Goldie Racing

J Paul Mulrennan

65-4040 C D

TIMEFORM VIEW Several big wins in his long career and confirmed himself still capable of useful form aged 10 when fourth in handicap at Ayr (13f) last month. Never figured off steady gallop in Old Newton Cup at Haydock latest and he may just be vulnerable here.

STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 8/7/2023 it was reported that the horse hung left in the home straight. TFRHHIII

3 THE GRANDVISIR (GB) (28)

B g Frankel - Piping (IRE) (Montjeu (IRE))

Andy Bell & Fergus Lyons

Br Qatar B’stock, Ecurie Monceaux & Skymarc

9 9 11 (2) BHA97

J Richard Kingscote

Ian Williams, Alvechurch 6/60-002 D

S Helicentreuk CP

TIMEFORMVIEW Stepped up on his comeback in Chester Cup when eighth in Ascot Stakes and, turned out 4 days later, ran a cracker to finish second in Queen Alexandra (21.6f), keeping on well again final 100 yds. Losing run stretches back over 4 years, however. TFRHHHII

4 STAY WELL (GB) (29)

B g Iffraaj - Sweeping Up (Sea The Stars (IRE))

Ben & Sir Martyn Arbib

5 9 9 (13) BHA95

J Rob Hornby

Hughie Morrison, East Ilsley 055-030

Br Arbib Bloodstock Partnership S Bridgend Hotel H

TIMEFORMVIEW Returned to form back on AW when third at Kempton (12f) in June. Made his move earlier than ideal (also took strong hold) when weakening out of things in Duke of Edinburgh handicap (12f) 4 weeks ago but stamina to prove up significantly in trip.

5 SOLENT GATEWAY (IRE) (32)

B g Awtaad (IRE) - Aoife Alainn (IRE) (Dr Fong (USA))

Mr D. R. Passant & Hefin Williams

Br Deer Forest Stud

TFRHHIII

5 9 9 (12) BHA95

Hugo Palmer, Malpas

S Greenhous Group Ltd

J Ross Coakley

340

610 D

T CP

TIMEFORM VIEW Useful staying handicapper Bagged second victory of 2023 granted the run of the race at Haydock (16.2f) in May but unable to replicate that in stronger company when ninth in Ascot Stakes 920f) 32 days ago. Handicapper probably has him about right.

6 NOVEL LEGEND (IRE) (32)

TFRHHHII

4 9 8 (10) BHA94

B g Nathaniel (IRE) - Majestic Dubawi (Dubawi (IRE)) J William Buick

Mr Boniface Ho Ka Kui James Fanshawe, Newmarket 12-1120 CD

Br Ballylinch Stud S Pegasus Stables LLP

TIMEFORMVIEW Improving 4-y-o who followed up his AW reappearance success when forging clear to land a C&D handicap in April. Has shaped well in defeat both starts since, likely to have been suited by a stronger gallop when seventh in last month’s Ascot Stakes (20f). Remains one to keep on side.

TFRHHHHI

7

ZINC WHITE (IRE) (32)

Gr gVadamos (FR) - Chinese White (IRE) (Dalakhani (IRE))

S Beetham and DPL Fab Ltd

Br Skymarc Farm

5 9 6 (15) BHA92

Ian Williams, Alvechurch

S Dpl Fabrications Limited, Tote

J Jim Crowley

66/11/-10

TIMEFORM VIEW Progressive for Ralph Beckett in 2021 and made light of a long absence on yard debut when seeing off re-opposing Novel Legend at Chester (18.6f) in May. Possibly unsuited by firmer conditions in Ascot Stakes at the Royal Meeting.

STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 20/6/2023 it was reported that the horse was unsuited by the going. TFRHHHII

8 RAINBOW DREAMER (GB) (21) 10 9 6 (1) BHA92

B g Aqlaam - Zamhrear (Singspiel (IRE))

The Maple Street Partnership

Br Rabbah Bloodstock Limited

Alan King, Barbury Castle

S Goodwin Racing Ltd

J David Probert

12-2016 C D

CP

TIMEFORM VIEW Grand servant to connections who was well suited by the strong pace when back to winning ways in AW conditions’ event in April. Kept fresh and ran as well as could be expected when sixth in Northumberland Plate but suspicion he’ll be vulnerable to younger rivals once more. TFRHHIII

9 APPARATE (GB) (50) 7 9 5 (9) BHA91

B g Dubawi (IRE) - Appearance (Galileo (IRE))

J Saffie Osborne

Mr Colvin Ryan Jamie Osborne, Upper Lambourn 0/01/53/-2

Br Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum S Tote

TIMEFORMVIEW Very low-mileage 7-y-o who ran a cracker on first outing since leaving RogerVarian after 20 months off (sold for 55,000 gns) when close second at Doncaster 7 weeks ago. Completely unexposed at this trip so worth a second look in hope he can back that up.

TFRHHHII

10 AZTEC EMPIRE (IRE) (21) 4 9 4 (8) BHA90

B c Sea The Stars (IRE) - Azanara (IRE) (Hurricane Run (IRE))

Isa Salman Al Khalifa

Br Elysian Bloodstock Ltd

J Harry Davies (3)

Andrew Balding, Kingsclere 141663 D

S Highclere Thoroughbred Racing

TIMEFORM VIEW Pair of AW wins at up to 2m at Kempton this year and big effort to finish third under this pilot in the Northumberland Plate on his latest outing 21 days ago. Remains lightly raced on turf (ground an excuse over C&D in May) and rider takes off valuable 3lb again. TFRHHHII

11 NATHANAEL GREENE (GB) (21) 4 9 2 (4) BHA88

B g Nathaniel (IRE) - My Special J’s (USA) (Harlan’s Holiday (USA))

Isa Salman Al Khalifa

Br Newsells Park Stud

William Haggas, Newmarket

J Tom Marquand

S Highclere Thoroughbred Racing B

TIMEFORM VIEW Mainly on the up last season (a dual winner at up to 14f) and hard to knock his efforts in defeat so far this campaign, shaping as if suited by step up to 2m when fourth in Northumberland Plate. First-time blinkers could put an extra edge on him here. TFRHHHHI

12 SWEET WILLIAM (IRE) (15)

B g Sea The Stars (IRE) - Gale Force (Shirocco (GER))

Normandie Stud Ltd

Br Normandie Stud Ltd

4 9 2 (14) BHA88

J Robert Havlin

John & Thady Gosden, Newmarket

22-21

S Normandie Stud Ltd B

TIMEFORM VIEW Son of Sea The Stars who finished runner-up first 3 starts and didn’t need to improve to open his account in first-time blinkers at Doncaster (11.9f) 15 days ago, heavily eased when clear Highly likely there’s more to come now handicapping up in trip off this mark. Big shout.

13

GEREMIA (IRE) (12)

B g Fastnet Rock (AUS) - Gerika (FR) (Galileo (IRE))

TFRHHHHH

5 9 0 (3) BHA86

Mr Scott Fyffe & Mr James Fyffe Jim Goldie, Glasgow

Br Societa Agricola La Tesa SRL S Jim Goldie Racing

J Clifford Lee

3-41361 D

TIMEFORM VIEW Habitual slow starter but he is proving consistent, picking up second win of the campaign when getting on top late in the day at Ayr (13f) 12 days ago. Return to further will hold no fears but this a good deal more demanding.

14

HADRIANUS (IRE) (21)

B c Galileo (IRE) - Laugh Out Loud (Clodovil (IRE))

Susan and John Waterworth

Br C. O. P. Hanbury

TFRHHHII

3 9 0 (6) BHA101

Charlie Johnston, Middleham

S Johnston Racing Ltd

J Oisin Murphy

1-23300

TIMEFORMVIEW AW maiden winner in December who has improved in a higher grade this year, third in Goodwood listed event (11.2f) in May. Handicapper took no chances with opening mark but matched previous best when midfield in NorthumberlandVase 21 days ago. Handy 3-y-o allowance a plus here.

TFRHHHII

15 CORMIER (IRE) (8) 7 8 11 (7) BHA83

B g Born To Sea (IRE) - Scotch Bonnet (IRE) (Montjeu (IRE))

Dan Gilbert and Andrew Bruce

Br Grangecon Stud

Brian Ellison, Malton

S Brian Ellison Racing Limited

J Ben Robinson

3/1000-4

TIMEFORMVIEW Dual purpose performer who added to his tally at Chester (1 1/4m) last July Has struggled in varied events since but did at least halt the slide (following wind op) when fourth in 8-runner handicap back at that venue (11.3f, soft) 8 days ago. Task is to build on that.

TFRHHIII

NUMBER OF DECLARED RUNNERS 15 (EXACTA)

Blinkers worn first time by No. 11. Hood worn by No. 4. Blinkers worn by No. 12.

Tongue Strap worn by No. 5. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 3, 5, 8.

2022: RESHOUN (FR) 8 9 8 Jim Crowley 6-1 (Ian Williams) 6 ran

Betting Forecast: 9-2 Nathanael Greene (GB), 11-2 Sweet William (IRE), 8-1 Novel Legend (IRE), 10-1 Hadrianus (IRE), 11-1 Postileo (IRE), 12-1 Geremia (IRE), 14-1 The Grand Visir (GB), 16-1 Zinc White (IRE), 18-1 Apparate (GB), Aztec Empire (IRE), 25-1 Cormier (IRE), 28-1 Euchen Glen (GB), 33-1 Stay Well (GB), Solent Gateway (IRE), 50-1 Rainbow Dreamer (GB)

Race Summary: A half-brother to St Leger/Irish Derby winner Hurricane Lane, SWEET WILLIAM opened his account in a canter in a 6-runner Doncaster novice (11.9f) 15 days ago and, with his opening mark looking very appealing, he’s fancied to make a bold bid quickly upped to 2m on handicap debut. Novel Legend continues to shape well and is feared, along with Northumberland Plate fourth Nathaniel Greene, who sports first-time blinkers.

1-2-3: 1.SWEET WILLIAM (IRE) 2.NOVEL LEGEND (IRE) 3.NATHANAEL GREENE

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RESULT PANEL:

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The Horserace Betting Levy Board prize fund schemes provide for the estimated inclusion of £728,378 in ratecard and incremental prize money at this racecourse from May to August 2023.