3.45 - The Cazoo Handicap Stakes

F O U R T H R A C E 3 . 4 5

The Cazoo Handicap Stakes (Class 2)

ONE MILE about TWO FURLONGS (10f abt 17yds) for four yrs old and upwards Total race value £100000 For conditions of this race see page 64

STALLS: INSIDE

R A C E F A C T S

LEADING COURSE TRAINER (17-22):

C & M Johnston (16 wins from 111 runners, 14%) runs LOVE IS GOLDEN

TRAINER-IN-FORM (LAST 14 DAYS):

R Varian (11 wins from 36 runners, 31%) runs ROYAL CHAMPION FANCY THAT: R Varian won this race in 2014, 2018 and 2019. The stable runs ROYAL CHAMPION today.

LONGEST TRAVELLER:

LOVE IS GOLDEN trained by C & M Johnston, Middleham, 253 miles.

LAST YEAR’S WINNER

Blue Cup (FR)

Ridden by Oisin Murphy Owned by Michael Watt, Gerry Ryan & Roy David Trained by David Menuisier | S/P 9-2 (9 ran)

E P S O M R A C E S U M M A R Y

Given the nature of his last two wins, MOKTASAAB is expected to land a third victory from as many runs. He kept on well for his Newbury success in April and defied a 7lb rise in the handicap at Goodwood, so there could be more to come. The Roger Varian-trained Royal Champion could be hot on his heels given he is dropping in class. Another to note is Love Is Golden, who was three quarters of a length behind the winner on his latest outing at York and is just 1lb higher as a result. WIN: MOKTASAAB

EACH-WAY: Royal Champion

PRESENTATION

Cazoo is kindly awarding £100 to the racing groom responsible for the best turned out horse in this race, as well as a trophy to the winning owner, trainer and jockey.

NUMBER OF DECLARED RUNNERS 1 4 (EXACTA)

Visor worn by No. 8. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 2, 11. Running for the first time since Gelding No. 5. Probable S.P.’s - 4-1 Moktasaab (GB), 8-1 Soto Sizzler (GB), 11-1 Cap Francais (GB), The City’s Phantom (GB), Love Is Golden (IRE), 12-1 Bad Company (GB), 14-1 Caradoc (IRE), Good Birthday (IRE), 16-1 Sweet Reward (IRE), 18-1 Victory Chime (IRE), Royal Champion (IRE), 22-1 Spirit Dancer (GB), 33-1 Arqoob (IRE), 40-1 Arctician (IRE)

NO HORSE AGE WEIGHT DRAW JOCKEY

1 VICTORY CHIME (IRE) (13) 7 9-12 (14)

B g Campanologist (USA) - Patuca Owner Mr A. Nevin Trainer Ralph Beckett, Kimpton Down Breeder M. Downey & Kildaragh Stud Form 02110-0 CD Sponsored by R M Beckett Ltd

BLACK, WHITE chevron, sleeves and diamond on cap. Has won 11 races from 1m 2f to 1m 3f. Beaten 18l behind Majestic Dawn at 11-1 when eighth of 9 on his latest run culminating in at a Goodwood over 1m Listed race last time, 2f but last month. He has run in faces a tough ask off top some competitive races recently, weight. Official BHA Rating 107 Hector Crouch

2 SOTO SIZZLER (GB) (45)

7 9-10 (3)

B g Mastercraftsman (IRE) - Jalousie (IRE) Owner Mr I. J. Heseltine Trainer David Menuisier, Pulborough Breeder D. A. Yardy Form 0551-01 CD Sponsored by Shinco Racing Limited

ROYAL BLUE, WHITE hollow box, checked sleeves and cap. Winner of five races from 1m 2f to 1m 4f on good to firm and good ground. A winner at 7-2 over this course and distance (good) on his latest outing in April, beating Achelois by a neck. 6lb higher today and is expected to remain competitive under Ryan Moore. Official BHA Rating 105 Ryan Moore

3 CARADOC (IRE) (12)

B g Camelot - Applause (IRE) Owner Mr P. K. Siu Trainer Ed Walker, Upper Lambourn Breeder P & B Bloodstock

7 9-3 (9)

Form 3/42-524 D Sponsored by ABM Catering Facilities Management

RED and BLACK stripes, RED sleeves. He has won four times from 1m to 1m 2f on good to firm and good ground. Finished 4l behind Dark Shift when fourth of 6 at 9-2 on his latest outing at Nottingham STEWARDS NOTE: Following over 1m (good) its run on 22/5/ last month. 2022 it was A return reported to 1 that m 2f could see the horse was him edge closer and improvement denied a clear run late-on. Official isn’t BHA ruled out. Rating 98 Tom Marquand

4 CAP FRANCAIS (GB) (28)

6 9-3 (5)

B g Frankel - Miss Cap Ferrat Owner Coomes Parmar Turner Dale Trainer Ian Williams, Alvechurch Breeder J. L. C. Pearce

Form 4404-12 Sponsored by Tote MAROON, WHITE star, ROYAL BLUE sleeves, LIGHT BLUE stars, ROYAL BLUE cap, LIGHT BLUE star. He has won four times from 1m to 1m 1f on ground varying from good to firm to good to soft. Beaten 1l by Baryshnikov when second of 7 at 6-1 on his latest outing at Chester over 1m 2f (good to soft) last month. Capable on his day and jockey booking is noteworthy. Official BHA Rating 98 William Buick

5 ROYAL CHAMPION (IRE) (69) 4 9-2 (1)

B g Shamardal (USA) - Emirates Queen Owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Trainer Roger Varian, Newmarket Breeder Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Form 1/30-4

YELLOW, large BLACK spots and spots on cap. A winner at 1m on good ground. Well beaten at 5-1 behind Chindit when last of 4 on his latest outing at Doncaster over 1m (good to soft) in March. Remains unexposed STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 26/3 and drops significantly down in class, /2022 it was reported that the horse so has lost its to be of some interest for this top yard. action late-on. Official BHA Rating 97 Andrea Atzeni

6 MOKTASAAB (GB) (34)

4 9-2 (7)

Ch g Lope de Vega (IRE) - Dash To The Front Owner Mr Harry Redknapp Trainer William Knight, Newmarket Breeder Meon Valley Stud

Form 4142-11 D Sponsored by William Knight Racing Ltd DARK BLUE, ROYAL BLUE seams, WHITE sleeves, RED and WHITE striped cap. He has won three times at 1m 2f. Won on his latest outing when evens fav at Goodwood over 1m 2f (good to firm) in April, beating Caradoc by 1 1/4l. A treble is not ruled out despite a 5lb rise, as he was able to defy a 7lb hike from his penultimate win. Official BHA Rating 97 Callum Shepherd

NO HORSE AGE WEIGHT DRAW JOCKEY

7 SPIRIT DANCER (GB) (213) 5 8-12 (4)

B g Frankel - Queen’s Dream (GER) Owner Done Ferguson Mason Trainer Richard Fahey, Malton Breeder Sir Alex Ferguson & Mr Niall McLoughlin Form 021240- D Sponsored by Morson Group

RED, WHITE stars on sleeves. Successful twice at 1m 2f on soft ground and on the all-weather. Well beaten at 4-1 behind Dubai Souq when 9th of 10 on his latest outing at Redcar over 1m 2f (soft) in November last year. Tends to go well fresh so is worth a market check on his return to action. Official BHA Rating 93 Oisin Orr

8 GOOD BIRTHDAY (IRE) (21) 6 8-11 (13)

B g Dabirsim (FR) - Chica Loca (FR) Owner King Power Racing Co Ltd Trainer Andrew Balding, Kingsclere Breeder Ecurie Normandie Pur Sang

Form 1003-63 D Sponsored by King Power International Co Ltd ROYAL BLUE, WHITE hoop, striped sleeves, WHITE cap, ROYAL BLUE star. Winner of five races from 1m to 1m 2f on good and good to soft ground. Third of 6 behind Bad Company beaten 4l at 5-1 on his latest outing at Newmarket over 1m 2f (good) last month. Remains 1lb above his last winning mark and cannot be overlooked given connections. Official BHA Rating 92 David Probert

9 THE CITY’S PHANTOM (GB) (45) 5 8-11 (10)

B g Free Eagle (IRE) - Meet Marhaba (IRE) Owner Phil Cunningham Trainer Richard Spencer, Newmarket Breeder Biddestone Stud Ltd Form 12650-1 D Sponsored by Rebel Racing Ltd, Direct Commercial Ltd

WHITE, GREY sleeves, BLACK stars, BLACK cap. He has won three times at 1m 2f on good to firm ground. A winner at 7-2 at Yarmouth over 1m 2f (good to firm) on his latest outing in April, beating Robert Walpole by 6l. That run came in a Class 4 and this is likely to prove tougher, so another step forward is required. Official BHA Rating 92 Hollie Doyle

10 ARQOOB (IRE) (105)

B g Estidhkaar (IRE) - Via Ballycroy (IRE) Owner Little Staughton Farms Ltd Trainer William Jarvis, Newmarket Breeder Rollx Syndicate

4 8-11 (12)

Form 620-353 Sponsored by Tattersalls

DARK BLUE, PINK seams, striped sleeves, PINK cap. Successful twice at 1m on good to firm ground. Third of 10 behind Zagato beaten 7l on his latest outing at Sakhir over 1m 2f (good) in February. Stayed on during that contest so may prefer a stiffer stamina test. He might find a few too good in here. Official BHA Rating 92 Kieran Shoemark

11 BAD COMPANY (GB) (21)

5 8-7 (2)

B g Fast Company (IRE) - Clearing Owner The Clean Sweep Partnership Trainer Jim Boyle, Epsom Breeder Paddock Space

Form 152-641 D Sponsored by Tote DARK BLUE, LIGHT BLUE chevron, DARK BLUE sleeves, LIGHT BLUE stars. Winner of six races at 1m 2f. A winner at 3-1 at Newmarket over 1m 2f (good) on his latest outing last month, beating Imperial Sands by 3 1/2l. The step up in class shouldn’t inconvenience him given the nature of that win. One to note despite a 6lb higher mark. Official BHA Rating 88 Charlie Bennett

12 LOVE IS GOLDEN (IRE) (21) 4 8-6 (6)

B c Golden Horn - Holy Moon (IRE) Owner Crone Stud Farms Ltd Trainer Charlie & Mark Johnston, Middleham Breeder Razza Del Velino

Form 0-20353 Sponsored by Johnston Racing Ltd

ORANGE, EMERALD GREEN stars. He has won three times from 1m to 1m 4f. Third of 10 behind Bollin Joan beaten 3/4l at 8-1 on his latest outing at York over 1m 2f (good) last month. Ran a creditable third on his last outing at this track and further improvement cannot be ruled out. Official BHA Rating 87 Franny Norton

NO HORSE AGE WEIGHT DRAW JOCKEY

13 SWEET REWARD (IRE) (11) 5 8-3 (8)

B g Acclamation - Dangle (IRE) Owner Old Stoic Racing Club & Partner Trainer Jonathan Portman, Upper Lambourn Breeder S. V. Schilcher

Form 10-6324 D BF Sponsored by Pump Technology Limited DARK BLUE, YELLOW chevrons and armlets, YELLOW cap, DARK BLUE diamond. He has won four times from 1m 1f to 1m 2f. Finished 2 3/4l behind Time Interval when fourth of 10 at 7-2jt-fav on his latest outing at Windsor over 1m 2f (good) last month. This looks a much tougher test on paper and his most recent win came over a shorter trip. Official BHA Rating 84 (-1) Silvestre De Sousa

14 ARCTICIAN (IRE) (36)

Gr c Dark Angel (IRE) - Atlantic Drift Owner Mr Richard A. Murray Trainer Simon Dow, Epsom Breeder Newsells Park Stud

4 8-3 (11)

Form 416-353 Sponsored by Simon Dow

RED, WHITE diamond, WHITE sleeves, RED stars, WHITE cap. A winner at 7f on the all-weather. Third of 5 behind Ivasecret beaten 2 1/4l at 4-1 on his latest outing at Lingfield over 7f in April. He has been kept busy on the all-weather and remains unexposed, but needs to prove himself over this trip. Official BHA Rating 84 John Egan

Result

1st 3rd 2nd 4th Distance Time

DID YOU KNOW?

Four fillies were successful in both the Derby and the Oaks - Eleanor (1801), Blink Bonny (1857), Signorinetta (1908) and Fifinella (1916).

1844

KNOWN AS THE ‘DIRTY DERBY”, THE 1844 RENEWAL ENDED WITH AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE HORSE FIRST PAST THE POST, RUNNING REIN.

IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE HORSE WAS NOT RUNNING REIN BUT IN FACT FOUR YEAR OLD MACCABEUS. RUNNER-UP ORLANDO WAS AWARDED THE RACE.