TimHep94

Nyman looks to hold solid claims here and may still have more to offer from his current mark of 78. One of his more eye-catching runs came at York Racecourse in October 2025 over 7f in a Class 4 handicap, where he finished 10th, beaten 6½L, but was badly hampered just as he was beginning to make progress and ultimately crossed the line still on the bridle. He quickly made amends next time out with a win at Newmarket Racecourse over 7f off 78. This season he returned from a break with a run at Newcastle Racecourse before shaping well at Beverley Racecourse. Last time out he finished 4th in a stronger Class 3 handicap over 1m at Redcar Racecourse, beaten only 2½L off 79 and staying on strongly late. There is also useful Irish form in his profile, including a 4th behind the now 90-rated Seward and the 88-rated Iceford, while he was also 3rd at Naas Racecourse behind the 100-rated Le Zonda, with the now 99-rated Mississippi River in second. Dropping back to 7f could suit if the pace is strong, and Nyman looks capable of being heavily involved at the finish.

Asgard’s Captain looks to have solid claims in what appears to be a competitive contest. His form ties in strongly with several horses that have since advertised the strength of those races. One standout performance came at York Racecourse when he won a Class 2 handicap over 1m4f off 88, beating the now 99-rated Insanity, with the 97-rated French Duke back in third. That piece of form alone makes him very interesting from a mark of 89. He also produced an impressive display at Epsom Downs Racecourse when winning a Class 3 handicap over 1m4f on good ground by 4½ lengths off 84, beating Master Builder, who has since gone on to win at York. Further strong form includes a third at Newmarket Racecourse in a Class 3 handicap over 1m4f behind the 98-rated Claymore, with Great Bedwyn behind??"another horse that has since run well at York. His latest effort at Epsom in late April also reads positively, finishing fourth, beaten 7 lengths by Sing Us A Song, who has since finished runner-up in a Class 2 handicap at York.

Alcarath looks a strong contender in this Class 3 handicap and could be ready to improve on his return run. He came back from a 179-day break at Newmarket Racecourse in a Class 2 handicap over 1m1f on good to firm ground, finishing 5th, beaten 5½ lengths behind a strong field. The race form looks solid, with winner Erzindjan rated 99, runner-up Fifth Column now 101, and several other higher-rated rivals behind, suggesting it was a strong contest rather than a weak effort. Before his break, he showed clear ability. He bolted up by 8½ lengths in a novice at Epsom Downs Racecourse over 1m2f, beating Gamrai, who is now rated 99. He also ran well in a Class 3 handicap at Redcar Racecourse when 4th, beaten 3½ lengths over 1m2f behind Have Secret, another now well-rated rival. Dropping back into a Class 3 handicap after that comeback run looks a plus, and a 1 lb lower mark gives him a small edge. With Daniel Muscutt booked and a favourable low draw expected to help over this trip, he looks well positioned to go close. If building on his return, Alcarath looks a major player here.

Beach Point looks to have strong claims dropping into a Class 5 handicap with Oisin Murphy back on board. Murphy partnered him to victory at Sandown Park Racecourse in July 2025 over 1m 2f off 69, where he won by 1¾ lengths and beat the then 84-rated Alcaraz. He followed up again at Sandown off 73 on soft ground, showing versatility regarding conditions and confirming his progression through the handicap ranks. After a break, he returned with a promising effort at Yarmouth Racecourse in a Class 4 handicap over 1m 2f, finishing fourth, beaten only 2 lengths off 84. He was held up that day and stayed on nicely late behind the now 80-rated Salamanca City, suggesting there was still plenty of ability intact. He backed that up with another solid run when third over the same trip at Yarmouth, beaten 2 lengths in a steadily run race where the winner, Cloud Hill, enjoyed an uncontested lead from the front. Beach Point again shaped as though he would benefit from a stronger pace scenario. Now dropping into a weaker Class 5 handicap off the same mark, with Murphy returning to the saddle, conditions look ideal for another big run.

Percy Jones looks a live contender, returning from a break in a race he went very close in last year at Newbury Racecourse. On that occasion, after a 114-day absence, he finished 2nd, beaten just 1½L in a Class 5 handicap over 1m4f off 71 in a 0-72 contest, staying on strongly and suggesting a race of this nature suits him well when fresh. He then went on to show solid staying form, including a close 4th at Doncaster Racecourse over 1m6½f, beaten only 1L, before gaining a deserved win at Wolverhampton Racecourse over 1m4f off 74 by a head. The main concern is that all his wins have come on the all-weather and he is yet to score on turf, but his turf efforts suggest he is well capable of handling it when things fall right. He has also shown he can run well off a break, which is important given he returns after 171 days off. Now running off 74 in a 0-75 handicap and with Billy Loughnane booked, he looks well treated enough to be competitive if ready to go. If he reproduces last year’s Newbury effort, Percy Jones should be right in the mix again.

Austrian Theory looks the one to beat here and appears well handicapped now dropped back to a mark of 79. Although he has not won since scoring at Pontefract Racecourse off 79 in 2024, his form in stronger races since then suggests he has been competing well above this level. Last season he was narrowly beaten at Chester Racecourse over 1m2½f in a 0-90 handicap off 85, before running an excellent race in the John Smith's Handicap at York Racecourse. In that Class 2 contest he finished 5th, beaten only 3½l by the now 115-rated Fox Legacy. The strength of the form is notable, with See That Storm now rated 98, Archivist 97, Erzindjan 101, and Thunder Run 100 all involved in behind. He also ended last season with a strong 2nd in another Class 2 handicap over 1m2f off 80, beaten 2¼l by the now 99-rated El Burhan. His return run at Ripon Racecourse after a 178-day break was encouraging enough, finishing 5th, beaten 6¾l while staying on late, suggesting he would come on for the outing. Now eased back to 79 and dropping into a 0-80 handicap, this looks a much more suitable assignment.