RACE 7 5.15

THE BENCHMARK HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3)

for three yrs old

Total prize fund £25000 (For conditions of this race see page 47)

RACE FACTS:

Leading course trainer (17-22): W Haggas (40 wins from 185 runners, 22%) runs BLEAK

Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): W Haggas (11 wins from 45 runners, 24%) runs BLEAK

Longest Traveller: BLEAK trained by W Haggas, ROGUE SEA trained by T Clover, INTRICACY trained by S & E Crisford, TONY MONTANA trained by J & T Gosden, CRACKSKING trained by J Fanshawe, MAXIMILIAN CAESAR trained by M Botti & IMPERIAL EMPEROR trained by C Appleby, all Newmarket, 112 miles.

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

TIMEFORM VIEW Dubawi colt who made it 2-2 in 1m Newmarket novice in June. Only fifth of 6 to Nostrum in listed race at Newmarket (8f, good to firm) 37 days ago but sort to bounce back now going up in trip on his handicap debut. Tongue strap on 1st time.

2 TONY MONTANA (GB) (17)

9 6 (6) BHA92

B c Kingman - Mischief Making (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid (USA)) J Kieran Shoemark

Amo Racing Limited John & Thady Gosden, Newmarket 2-3014 CD

Br Highclere Stud S Sports Invest UK Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW 425,000 gns Kingman colt who opened his account in a C&D novice in July Posted a solid fourth switched to handicaps at Goodwood since. Not ruled out off the same mark.

3 BLEAK (IRE) (36)

9 3 (7) BHA89

Ch g Highland Reel (IRE) - On A Cloud (USA) (Silver Hawk (USA)) J Tom Marquand

Mr James Wigan William Haggas, Newmarket 53412 D

Br London Thoroughbred Services Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW Is going the right way since being gelded, landing 10f novice at Lingfield before excellent second of 13 on handicap bow atYork (1m2f) 36 days ago. Has more to offer Player.

4 MAXIMILIAN CAESAR (IRE) (50)

TFRHHHHH

9 3 (9) BHA89

J Neil Callan Keep Kicking Racing & Partner Marco Botti, Newmarket 322-102

B g Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) - Primrose Gate (IRE) (Verglas (IRE))

Br Tony Doyle S Marco Botti Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW Wide-margin winner in 1m handicap at Doncaster on return. Got back on track when second of four in handicap atYarmouth (8f, good) 50 days ago. Enters calculations now stepping up in trip. TFRHHHII

5 INTRICACY (GB) (15)

B c Dubawi (IRE) - GoldenValentine (FR) (Dalakhani (IRE))

9 3 (3) BHA89

J Rossa Ryan

KHK Racing Simon & Ed Crisford, Newmarket 242214 D

Br Ecurie des Monceaux/LNJ Foxwoods SC S GainsboroughThoroughbreds Limited, Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock Limited CP

TIMEFORM VIEW Already developing a consistent record and scored readily in first-time cheekpieces at Ascot in July. Solid fourth of 12 at Goodwood since so he’s shortlisted.

6 ROGUE SEA (GB) (42)

B c Sea The Stars (IRE) - Tarfasha (IRE) (Teofilo (IRE))

The Rogues Gallery

Br Shadwell Estate Company Limited

TFRHHHII

9 2 (2) BHA88

J David Egan

Tom Clover, Newmarket 1210 D

S T Clover Racing Limited

TIMEFORM VIEW Looked quite useful when winning 2 novices over 1 1/4m. Raced too freely over much longer trip at Haydock on handicap debut but a well-run race over this distance offers a more suitable test. STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 8/7/2023 it was reported that the horse was slow to start and hampered. TFRHHHII

B c Kingman - Trojan Queen (USA) (Empire Maker (USA))

8 13 (8) BHA85

J Oisin Murphy

Juddmonte Harry & Roger Charlton, Beckhampton

Br Juddmonte Farms Ltd

S Juddmonte Farms Inc

32-31

TIMEFORMVIEW Well-bred Kingman colt who has already shown fairly useful form and overcame a slow start to score on his handicap debut at Sandown in May. Off since but he has more to come up in trip and makes plenty of appeal. TFRHHHHI

8 CRACKSKING (GB) (37)

Ch c Frankel - Calyxa (Pivotal)

Alison Swinburn and Mark Sartori

Br Gestut Haus Ittlingen

8 12 (5) BHA84

James Fanshawe, Newmarket

S Pegasus Stables LLP

J Daniel Muscutt

342

TIMEFORM VIEW Progressive maiden 4/1, very good second of 7 to Tony Montana in minor event at this C&D (good to firm) 37 days ago, not ideally placed. Makes handicap debut. Ought to be in the shake-up. TFRHHHII

9 SHE’S HOT (GB) (9)

Ch f Sioux Nation (USA) - Timely Words (Galileo (IRE))

8 9 (4) BHA81

J Mohammed Tabti (5)

Mrs Fitri Hay & Mr Charlie Methven Paul & Oliver Cole, Whatcombe 1-5625T

Br The Pocock Family

S JMH Group

TIMEFORM VIEW Cheekpieces on for 1st time (and had breathing operation), good fifth in 1m handicap at Goodwood. Refused to race in handicap at Chepstow (10f, good) 9 days ago though so others appeal more. TFRHHIII

NUMBER OF DECLARED RUNNERS 9 (EXACTA)

Tongue Strap worn first time by No. 1.

Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 5.

Running for the first time since Gelding No. 1.

2022: NO CORRESPONDING RACE

Betting Forecast: 4-1

Greek Order (GB), 11-2

Imperial Emperor (IRE), 6-1 Bleak (IRE), 7-1

Tony Montana (GB), 20-1 She’s Hot (GB)

Rogue Sea (GB), 9-1 Intricacy (GB), 10-1 Maximilian Caesar (IRE), Cracksking (GB), 12-1

Race Summary: Some promising sorts in opposition but the vote goes to BLEAK who hasn’t looked back since being gelded and can quickly resume winning ways on the back of his excellent York second. Greek Order has been off the track since May but is still feared most off a handy-looking mark, with Cracksking, Rogue Sea and Tony Montana all in the mix too.

1-2-3: 1.BLEAK (IRE) 2.GREEK ORDER 3.CRACKSKING