Northern raiders out in force to plunder HQ prize-money

1.50 Newmarket
Weatherbys General Stud Book Online Handicap | 6f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RUK

If ITV4 wanted a competitive handicap to kick off its coverage of Newmarket's Craven meeting it has certainly got one in the form of this £20,000 prize.

Although 14lb separates topweight New Bidder and bottomweight Suqoor on official ratings, early prices on the ten-runner race had King Robert as the 11-2 market leader with Moonraker the 12-1 'outsider'.

Flying Ryan

Kevin Ryan won this race 12 months ago with 16-1 chance Teruntum Star and is back for more with Mont Kiara, the mount of Harry Bentley.

Butler's magic touch?

Robert Cowell has a reputation for rejuvenating sprinters but could not manage to coax a victory from course-and-distance winner Toofi, who has his second start for new trainer John Butler.

Not so grim up north

Jumping in the north is not the force it was, but the Flat trainers more than hold their own, and five of the ten runners in this hail from North Yorkshire, while Keith Dalgleish sends Dark Defender from his south Lanarkshire yard.

What they say

Nigel Tinkler, trainer of Normandy Barriere
He's as well as we can have him at home without having a run, but he's very happy and I'm looking forward to it. The ground will be perfect for him.

Bryan Smart, trainer of King Robert
He's well and is in great form. He's come out of his last two races well and I'm hoping for a good run. He's got decent turf form and won round Chester as a two-year-old - I think he'll run very well.

John Butler, trainer of Toofi
He's come out of his last race at Doncaster really well. I'm a bit concerned by the ground - he'd want more juice - but he's in good form and we're expecting a big run.

John Quinn, trainer of Reputation
He's in grand form and will appreciate the drying ground. His pedigree suggests he could improve as a four-year-old and I'm hopeful he'll run well.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Gunmetal
I think he probably needed the run at Doncaster last time so I hope there's some improvement there. They say the ground is good, which will be nice for him.

Chris Dwyer, trainer of Suqoor
He's fit and ready to go. I think he will be fine on the ground and I hope he can improve as a four-year-old. He seems very well and I think I've got him in good shape.