This is a competitive 6 furlong sprint, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.
IN SUMMARY: A chance is taken on SWORD EXCEED to strike at the first time of asking in handicap company. He showed some decent enough form in maidens for Godolphin and he should open his account from a workable opening mark of 72. Right Action is a class dropper but has some question to answer off this mark whilst Stringybark Creek would be of interest with market support.
1 QUENCH DOLLY – Sole success came on debut last year when she finished ahead of Peachey Carnehan by a nose. She was receiving plenty of weight that day and she has to give away weight today so on the bare form of that run she has some work to do. She’s been well-held in handicaps of late and is only 1lb lower here off a 5 1/4 length defeat last time out. Others are preferred now she returns from a six month break.
2 PEACHEY CARNEHAN – Well-supported last time out when he hacked up over 6 furlongs at Wolverhampton. That was a small-field event but the handicapper was suitably impressed and has raised him 5lbs for that effort which shouldn’t damage his chances too greatly in this. He will need to do more now though and his trainer has a below par 7% strike rate around here and others make more appeal.
3 RIGHT ACTION – Finished fourth in a void race at Chelmsford at the end of February and is left on the same mark following that effort. He drops in grade here which should see him to much better effect and the trip will be ideal but he probably needs to improve again to get the better of a couple here. He broke his maiden tag off a low-weight and has to prove he can take advantage of races of this quality. Trainer has been in good recent form (3 winners from his last 18 runners).
4 PORTO FERRO – Broke her maiden tag at the eighth time of asking over C&D in February when beating Mistry by 1 1/2 lengths. That was a poor race (sent off the 2/5 favourite) and she will need more now upped in grade and entered into handicap company. Her trainer has a good 17% strike rate here but others make more appeal at today’s weights with a mark of 72 looking to have her measure.
5 SWORD EXCEED – Makes his handicap debut today for a new stable having been bought for £18,000 over the winter. He had shown some decent enough ability in three maidens for Charlie Appleby including a 2 length third over C&D and he should improve again this year. Silvestre De Sousa is an eye-catching booking (16% strike rate last 14 days) and he should take all the beating off what could prove to be a really workable mark (71).
6 STRINGYBARK CREEK – Won a decent maiden in April of last year when beating a useful type in Tomily. He failed to go on to better things following that victory but he was really highly tried having been gelded in the middle of summer and he should do much better now dropped into Class 5 company. This mark is workable and he’s one of interest if connections can get him back on a forward path. May be best watched today.
7 ALLEGHENY BAY – Lowest rated of these and has shown a little ability in a few maidens and one handicap. He should be able to get competitive here receiving plenty of weight from the field and he was only beaten 3 1/4 lengths in a Class 4 handicap just a couple of starts ago. This trip is a slight question mark with his best form coming over slightly further but he’s got a good draw in stall 2 and should get competitive.