Third Race 3.00 2f 5y THE RIU HOTELS AND RESORTS HANDICAP

STAKES (CLASS 2)

for four yrs old and upwards x Total prize fund £27000 Owners Prize Money. 1st £10970, 2nd £5486, 3rd £2743, 4th £1372, 5th £686, 6th £343.

(Penalty Value £13915.80)

For conditions of this race, see page 31

1m

LEADING COURSE TRAINER (17-22): R Fahey (38 wins from 273 runners, 14%) runs WOOTTON’SUN

TRAINER-IN-FORM (LAST 14 DAYS): B Haslam (4 wins from 18 runners, 22%) runs LIGHTENING COMPANY colours no horse

LONGEST TRAVELLER: KENZAI WARRIOR trained by R Teal, Lambourn, 180 miles.

1 ZEALOT (GB) (39) 1-14111 D

Br B g Pivotal - Devotion (IRE)

O The Horse Watchers 1

B Petches Farm Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW Has taken off for this yard, winning 7 of his 9 starts (all AW). Could be even more to come but does need to show he’s as effective on turf (well beaten previous attempt but it was for another stable).

2 AJERO (IRE) (197) 222103-

Br B g Red Jazz (USA) - Eoz (IRE) Jim Crowley J

O Julie and David R Martin and Dan Hall Kim Bailey, Cheltenham T

B Peter & Sandra McCarthy Kim Bailey Racing Ltd S

TIMEFORM VIEW Won a 9f Glorious Goodwood handicap last summer Ended his campaign with a creditable third of 8 there off this mark in October Thereabouts if ready to roll after a break.

3 MARIE’S DIAMOND (IRE) (66) 604-600 C

7 9-7 (7)

Br B or Br h Footstepsinthesand - Sindiyma (IRE) Daniel Tudhope J

O The Wolf Pack & Partner Roger Fell, Nawton T

B Mr Tony Ashley Tote, OR8Wellness S

TIMEFORM VIEW Course winner Twenty four runs since last win in 2021. Struggled in Bahrain at the start of this year and watching brief is the percentage call. TFRHHIII BHA97

4 BARYSHNIKOV (GB) (22) 11300-0 CD

7 9-1 (12)

Br Ch g Mastercraftsman (IRE) - Tara Moon Connor Beasley J

O Mr John Knotts & Partner David & Nicola Barron, Thirsk T

B M. H. and Mrs G. Tourle Tote S

TIMEFORMVIEW Went off the boil towards the end of last year and fared no better on his Doncaster reappearance. C&D winner last spring but has something to prove for the time being.

5 DARK MOON RISING (IRE) (44) 45500-0

TFRHHIII BHA91

4 9-0 (9)

Br B g Night of Thunder (IRE) - Al Nassa (USA) Shane Gray J

O Mrs Angie Bailey

B Mr N. Al Habtoor

Kevin Ryan, Hambleton T

K. A. Ryan Racing S

TIMEFORM VIEW Produced a useful effort when landing 6-runner conditions event on 1m Chelmsford reapperance last spring. Failed to progress in the face of some stiff tasks later in 2022 and also well held on last month’s AW reappearance at Wolverhampton.

6 SUN KING (IRE) (107) 2/2163-5

TFRHHIII BHA90

4 8-12 (11)

Br B g Galileo (IRE) - Song of My Heart (IRE) Ben Curtis J

O Opulence Thoroughbreds George Boughey, Newmarket T

B Sir Robert Ogden

George Boughey, SBK S

TIMEFORM VIEW 11/2, first run since leaving Aidan O’Brien when creditable fifth of 13 in handicap at Kempton (1m) in January Step back up in trip should suit now returning to turf after a further 107 days off One of the more interesting runners. TFRHHHHI BHA88

7 KENZAI WARRIOR (USA) (14) 20630-0

6 8-11 (10)

Br B or Br g Karakontie (JPN) - Lemon Sakhee (CAN) Jason Watson J

O Rae and Carol Borras

B John D. Gunther

Roger Teal, Lambourn T

Chartplan(2004) Ltd S

TIMEFORM VIEW Not beaten far back on the Flat at Kempton a fortnighbt ago and he’s beginning to look well handicapped. One to consider TFRHHHHI BHA87

8 PIECEDERESISTANCE (IRE) (178) 33/2105- CD 5 8-11 (6)

Br B g Gleneagles (IRE) - Positive Step (IRE) Aiden Brookes (5) J

O Ryder and Alex Sugden Micky Hammond, Middleham T

B Highpark Bloodstock Ltd Optima Self Store S

TIMEFORMVIEW C&D winner last summer but not in the same form at York and Newmarket subsequently. Placed twice over hurdles at the end of 2022. First outing for 143 days TFRHHIII BHA87

9 ZEALANDIA (FR) (317) 52430/1-

6 8-10 (8)

Br B g Sea The Moon (GER) - Belle Ambre Clifford Lee J

O Mr Paul Wildes Ian Williams, Alvechurch T

B S.A.S. Elevage Du Haras de Bourgeauville Wildes Hotel Limited S

TIMEFORM VIEW French recruit who returned from 7 months off to spring a 33/1 surprise on his York stable debut last June. Slight worry that he’s failed to make it to the track since but he’s clearly capable when fresh. TFRHHHII BHA86

10 CUMULONIMBUS (IRE) (194) 660113- D 4 8-10 (3)

Br Ch g Night of Thunder (IRE) - Queen’s Novel Hollie Doyle J

O Mr P Hickman and Mr D King Charlie Fellowes, Newmarket T

B Ringfort Stud Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW Won back to back over this trip at Yarmouth (under Hollie Doyle) and Haydock last September Another good run when third of 9 at Haydock (soft) on final start. Low-mileage 4-y-o who could easily have more to offer Respected.

11 REEL ROSIE (IRE) (219) 150100- D 4 8-10 (4)

Br B f Highland Reel (IRE) - Lady Canford (IRE) Rowan Scott J

O The Reel Wheelers and Dealers Edward Bethell, Middleham T

B Oldcourt Stud

TIMEFORM VIEW Well held in handicaps over this trip at York and Newmarket on her final 2 starts last year but she does return to action with her stable among the winners. TFRHHIII BHA86

12 LIGHTENING COMPANY (IRE) (182) 215340- 5 8-6 (2)

Br B g Fast Company (IRE) - Shama’s Song (IRE) Andrew Mullen J

O Middleham Park Racing CXV & Partners Ben Haslam, Middleham T

B Anthony Kirwan Middleham Park Racing S

TIMEFORM VIEW Pretty useful at his best and he reappears off a mark only 1lb higher than the one he defied at Redcar last spring. Stable among the winners, too, so there are reasons to be hopeful.

13 WOOTTON’SUN (FR) (194) 320155- D 4 8-5 (1)

Br B g Wootton Bassett - Sous Le Soleil (USA) Cam Hardie J

O Mr Steve Bradley Richard Fahey, Malton T

B Mr Herve Viallon Tote S

TIMEFORMVIEW Latest win at Windsor in September Struggled on soft ground final start but a reappearance win last year shows he’s capable when fresh and he could bounce back.

HHHII BHA81

2022: RAYONG 5 8 4 Franny Norton 13-2 (K R Burke) 13 ran Tongue Strap worn by No. 2, 6. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 1, 11.

DECLARED RUNNERS 13

Record Time: 2mins 8.2secs; Median Time: 2mins 13.70secs

Probable S.P.’s: 7-2 Zealot (GB), 6-1 Sun King (IRE), 9-1 Ajero (IRE), Cumulonimbus (IRE), 11-1 Zealandia (FR), 14-1 Baryshnikov (GB), 16-1 Dark Moon Rising (IRE), 18-1 Lightening Company (IRE), 20-1 Kenzai Warrior (USA), Wootton’sun (FR), 22-1 Piecederesistance (IRE), Reel Rosie (IRE), 25-1 Marie’s Diamond (IRE)

PLAY SMARTER

CUMULONIMBUS was steadily progressive in turf handicaps last autumn and might prove the answer to this tricky-looking handicap. Zealot is an obvious danger if able to transfer this winter’s AW improvement to the grass. Kenzai Warrior, who is starting to look well handicapped, and George Boughey’s Sun King are others who could go well.

TIMEFORM PREDICTION:

Maria Battersby, Business Development Manager for RIU Hotels and Resorts will present a memento to the winning owner in the Winner’s Enclosure after this race. A cash prize of £50 will be presented to the stable employee in charge of the best turned out horse in this race

The winning horse will also receive a sack of carrots kindly donated by Poskitts Vegetable Farmers and Growers.