IN SUMMARY: This is a competitive event and the vote goes to OUT DO. He’s closely matched with Intisaab on the form of their last run at Lingfield and David O’Meara’s runner can confirm the form with his stablemate and come out on top here. Mazzini looks short in the market given he’s 10lbs above his last winning mark and can be opposed.
1 INTISAAB – Excellent draw in stall 1 and his form has been rock solid of late. He was beaten 2 lengths by Gifted Master in a Listed event at Lingfield last time out and that effort entitles him to go close back in handicap company off 105.
2 OUT DO – 1/4 of a length ahead of Intisaab last time out and the pair should be closely matched again. His last handicap win came off 99 but the form of his last run suggests he should be up to this challenge and he can confirm the form with his stablemate here with a decent draw.
3 STRAIGHT RIGHT – Yet to replicate quite the same form for Andrew Balding in three runs as he did earlier in the year but he’s well-treated against older rivals here. He wasn’t beaten that far by Caravaggio at Royal Ascot earlier in the year and a mark of 103 remains fair. Something to prove following a heavy defeat last time out.
4 DOUBLE UP – Bumped into a useful sort last time out when beaten 4 lengths. He’s been dropped a pound which leaves him just 2lbs above his last winning mark which came in a Class 2 handicap at Ascot. Stall 5 is fine and Jim Crowley is a strong booking.
5 MAZZINI – Has plenty to find with a couple of these rivals based on his poor effort in a Listed event last time out. He’s 10lbs above his last winning mark and he’s opposed in this strong handicap today.
6 RECKLESS ENDEAVOUR – Makes his first start for Jamie Osborne today and this looks to be a good starting point having won his last start at Dundalk. A mark of 98 is fair but he’ll need to be fit off a small break and the market may guide best.
7 OUTBACK TRAVELLER – Has been on the downgrade this year following some mixed performances in the latter half of the year. He performs best in big field handicaps so it’ll be interesting to see how he fares switched to the All-Weather today. The yard are struggling for form at present.
8 TOMILY – Useful sort who is entitled to improve on his first run following a gelding operation. He does well on the All-Weather and a mark of 99 looks reasonable based on his decent victory at Doncaster last month. Respected albeit with a tricky draw to overcome.
9 KASBAH – Sole success for this yard came at Lingfield earlier in the year when well-supported. That came off a 3lb lower mark and he still looks up against it following a less than impressive run at this track in a weaker race last time out.
10 LEO MINOR – Makes his first start for Robert Cowell today having left the Aidan O’Brien yard. His sole success came in a Good ground event over 6f last summer and he hasn’t been seen since finishing third in a Listed event at Dundalk. Best watched here.
11 CARTOGRAPHER – Won a Class 4 handicap in good style at Newmarket earlier in the summer and she followed that up with a placed effort in Class 2 company last time out. She finished second over C&D on her first career start and should go well today.
12 STELLARTA – Decent enough mare who has struggled to get her head in front this season and she seeks her first win since August 2016. A mark of 90 is fair given some solid handicap performances but others have more in hand on these terms and stall 11 is a tough draw over 6f.