'I think he's still well in' - who fancies their chances in a big-field sprint?

Saturday: 2.25 Newmarket
TRU7 Handicap | 6f | 3yo | ITV/RTV

This is the third big three-year-old sprint handicap to be run at Newmarket this season and Harry Three, Pocket The Profit and Ernie’s Valentine all competed in at least one of the other two. Harry Three ran in both, finishing third and second, so can he make it third time lucky?

He will need to progress from that latest second behind Ingra Tor at the Guineas meeting a couple of weeks ago to defy another 2lb rise. However, he improved 4lb judged on Racing Post Ratings from his previous run and is evidently still going forwards.

Ernie’s Valentine competed in that same race over course and distance and finished three and three-quarter lengths behind Harry Three. He is officially 3lb better off at the weights with that rival, but rider Mohammed Tabti tacks on another 7lb with his claim. That will help.

Pocket The Profit missed that race a couple of weeks ago, but had previously finished fourth over course and distance at the Craven meeting, a length behind the third, Harry Three.

The pair are also closely matched after a 1lb swing in the weights in Pocket The Profit’s favour. However, he has since run disappointingly at Chester and will need to bounce back.

Maybe all of that form will come up short anyway as one of the market leaders is a horse who hasn’t even run in a handicap and that is last month’s Doncaster maiden winner Lir Speciale.

He is unexposed and could prove a class apart on his handicap debut, but trainer Roger Varian’s runners aren’t profitable to back when making their first handicap appearance. Varian is 18 per cent (47-257) in the last five seasons, but a £1 bet on each has lost £51.35.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Speciale of the day

Opulence Thoroughbreds have a big day with runners in featured handicaps at both Newbury and Newmarket including the progressive Lir Speciale on the Rowley Mile.

The organisation have nearly 30 horses in training for 2022, three years after their formation, and trainers on the roster include Andrew Balding, Ed Walker, Stuart Williams, George Boughey and Lir Speciale’s trainer Roger Varian.

The son of Prince Of Lir scored at the third time of asking under Ray Dawson at Doncaster last month and could be well treated off a mark of 82 in his first handicap.

George Gill, spokesman for Opulence Thoroughbreds, said: "I had a syndicate before called GG Thoroughbreds and I wanted to take the level up and create a more premium brand with silks that would be recognisable on the racecourse.

"Lir Speciale’s form is working out well and we were keen for Ray to keep the ride after he went up to Doncaster to ride him.

"The form of his all-weather runs at Kempton are very strong and we very much expected him to go up to Doncaster and win, which he did. I think off a mark of 82 he’s still well in."

What they say

Jack Mitchell, rider of Romantic Time
She was very unlucky last time at Chelmsford when she was hampered when coming with a run. Six furlongs is right up her street as she previously had done too much when sixth behind Cachet over seven in the Nell Gwyn.

Clive Cox, trainer of Harry Three
He likes the nature of the Rowley Mile and has run well twice there this spring without quite getting his head in front. It’s a nice prize to be going for and if he backs up his previous run he’s entitled to go close.

Richard Hannon, trainer of River Pride
She’s up 8lb for winning at Salisbury over seven furlongs last time which makes things tough but she’s back in trip which may suit as she’s not short of pace.

George Boughey, trainer of Pocket The Profit
He could do with getting his toe in a little bit and hopefully can bounce back from Chester where he couldn’t get involved. He’ll win one of these nice handicaps one day when it’s his turn.

David Egan, rider of Gold Medal
I rode him on his only outing on turf last year at Doncaster where he didn’t run very well but it was soft. I expect this sounder surface to play to his strengths.

Harry Davies, rider of Haymaker
He won very well over seven furlongs at the track last time when he didn’t look short of speed and I’m looking forward to the ride for Mr Morrison.
Reporting by David Milnes

Read Saturday's race previews:

1.35 Newbury: could Haggas have another Royal Ascot contender in Commonwealth Cup trial?

2.45 Newbury: trainers on their London Gold Cup hopes, including one with 'upside in his mark'

3.00 Newmarket: Harry Davies out to land more success on the Rowley Mile with Shine So Bright

3.20 Newbury: 'It's a big ask but he's in great nick' – can anyone beat Baaeed?

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