Newbury

Today, May 17, 2025FlatClass 21mGood Firm

Verdict

The very well bred MY CLOUD made a mockery of his opening mark when running out a most impressive winner on return/handicap debut at Ascot 17 days ago and a subsequent 10 lb hike in the weights may not be enough to prevent Roger Varian's upwardly mobile 4-y-o going in again. Classic ran well when third to Ebt's Guard on return in a C&D handicap recently and surely has a race in him from this mark. The returning Boyfriend is another to note.

My Cloud
Classic
Ebts Guard

1m Hcap

Each Way terms: 1/5 odds for first 3 places

8. My Cloud
J: Silvestre De SousaT: Roger Varian
F: 221-1
Price History:
1.83
Age:
4
Weight:
8-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
90
Days Since Last Run:
17
Verdict
Very well-related sort who sauntered clear of 4-runners in a Newcastle novice (1m) in the autumn and duly made a mockery of his opening mark after 6 months off when impressively bagging 10-runner Ascot handicap (1m) 17 days ago. 10 lb rise unlikely to prove enough to stop him.
9. Classic
J: David ProbertT: Richard Hannon
F: 2/929656-3
Price History:
7.50
Age:
5
Weight:
8-9
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
88
Days Since Last Run:
35
Verdict
Shaped well on several occasions last season and returned from 7 months off with a good third of 14 in a C&D handicap 5 weeks ago, keeping on having been left with too much to do. Undoubtedly has a race in him from this sort of mark if putting it all together.
7. Ebts Guard
J: Lewis EdmundsT: William Muir & Chris Grassick
F: 206618-10
Price History:
10.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
96
Days Since Last Run:
7
Verdict
Showed improved form after 6 months off (also gelded) when just holding on in Spring Cup over C&D in April. Did too much too soon when down the field in last week's Victoria Cup and he's not out of things from this mark, provided he can channel his energy efficiently.
5. English Oak
J: Kieran ShoemarkT: Ed Walker
F: 114629-90
Price History:
17.00
Age:
5
Weight:
9-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
103
Days Since Last Run:
7
Verdict
Bolted up in the Buckingham Palace at last year's Royal meeting. Has lost his way a little since, failing to come on for his reappearance run at Haydock when well beaten in last week's Victoria Cup. Mark is easing but will need to see more positive signs before becoming of interest.
11. Dutch Decoy
J: Joe FanningT: Charlie Johnston
F: 324600-58
Price History:
12.00
Age:
8
Weight:
8-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
83
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
Tough, useful handicapper but he does arrive on a losing run, going backwards from his reappearance eighth of 13 in handicap (16/1) at Newmarket (9f, good to firm) 14 days ago, doing too much too soon. Others more persuasive despite easing mark.
3. Crown Board
J: William BuickT: Jane Chapple-Hyam
F: 1/64-7
Price History:
12.00
Age:
5
Weight:
9-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
104
Days Since Last Run:
26
Verdict
Lightly-raced 5-y-o who was successful on only start at 3 yrs and stepped up on last season's return when a good fourth in listed company at Sandown (1m) last September. Well held kept to that company only start since at Kempton last month and switch to handicaps a plus now. Hood discarded.
10. Boyfriend
J: Sam HitchcottT: Richard Hannon
F: 26441/73-
Price History:
19.00
Age:
4
Weight:
8-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
83
Days Since Last Run:
358
Verdict
Improved when making a winning handicap debut on heavy ground here (7f) in 2023. Seen only twice last term, unlucky not to add to his tally when good third of 11 in handicap at Goodwood (1m), finishing with a flourish. 11-month absence to overcome but of definite interest from this mark.
1. Ancient Rome
J: Jason WatsonT: Charles Hills
F: 4/02374-70
Price History:
23.00
Age:
6
Weight:
9-12
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
105
Days Since Last Run:
77
Verdict
Smart gelding who acquitted himself well in Group company last term. Gelded prior to returning in Meydan earlier this year and he didn't look at home on the dirt when well-beaten in 1m Group 3 in March. Type to bounce back and he was successful from this mark on sole previous start in handicaps.
6. Kingdom Come
J: Rossa RyanT: Clive Cox
F: 40902-340
Price History:
23.00
Age:
6
Weight:
9-8
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
101
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
Winner of the 1m all-weather championship final handicap in 2024 and ran respectably in the 2025 edition when fourth of 14 at Newcastle in April. However, not quite the same force on turf and he was below his best when last of 13 in the Thirsk Hunt Cup 2 weeks ago.
4. Epictetus
J: William CarverT: Jamie Osborne
F: 501548/56-
Price History:
19.00
Age:
5
Weight:
9-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
104
Days Since Last Run:
350
Verdict
Smart performer at 3 yrs, winning twice including Goodwood Group 3 but seen only twice last season, again running well below best when sixth of 8 in Diomed Stakes at Epsom (8.5f) last June. Changed hands for 80,000 gns since and the betting can guide on first crack at handicaps.
12. Kitaro Kich
J: Hollie DoyleT: George Baker
F: 2-1311212
Price History:
26.00
Age:
5
Weight:
8-3
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
82
Days Since Last Run:
26
Verdict
Different proposition on AW since the turn of the year, bagging a fourth success since January at Chelmsford (1m) in March. Good second from career-high mark at Kempton (7f) followed 26 days ago but now his task is to translate his recent improvement back on turf.
Unnamed Favourite
Unnamed 2nd Favourite

Non-Runners

2. Witch Hunter
J: Joe LeavyT: Richard Hannon
F: 363-62607
Price History:
9.50
Age:
6
Weight:
9-12
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
105
Days Since Last Run:
7
Verdict
Smart performer who landed Group 3 Hungerford Stakes here in 2023 and just failed in his follow-up bid 12 months ago. Form has been a little up and down since the turn of the year but he did fare better when seventh in last week's Victoria Cup at Ascot (7f). Each-way possibilities.

Newbury

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