A tricky little 0-60 Handicap to sort out with several in with chances. Read on for our experts’ thoughts and betting tips.
IN SUMMARY: Aloysius Hansom makes his Handicap debut here today and can go well based on his 3 runs so far. Prisom also ran well last time out at Southwell and with Gaye Kelleway’s team in good form should also go close, but it may be worth siding with LOZAH, who looked as if she would have won last time out when coming with a rattling run to finish 2nd and if ridden closer to the pace today, should have an excellent chance of a maiden win. Swansway also ran well to finish 2nd last time out and fill the minor places once again if repeating that run.
1 Jonofark – 5 runs this year without a win. 11th of 14 in a Handicap here 35 days ago and wear cheek-pieces for the 1st time today. Easy to ignore judged on previous runs.
2 Aloysius Hansom – High Chaparral Gelding who has had 3 runs so far. 3rd on debut at Ripon in August and only 4th of 5 here last month when undone by pace that day. Makes Handicap debut today and should go close with progression likely.
3 Beverley Bullet – 2 runs at Wolverhampton last month produced a runner-up finish followed by a 5th from 10 in a Handicap. Looked as if in need of a much stiffer test that day but a 13 race Maiden and looks up against it here.
4 Hightime Girl – Filly by Pivotal who remains lightly-raced having had 4 runs so far this year. Fair form in those races and has since left David Loughnane. Has been off for 123 days and tendency to start races slowly doesn’t temper enthusiasm for this switch to the AW.
5 Prisom – 3rd on last two starts at Southwell including 19 days ago when she wasn’t left in the best position to challenge. Stable is in good form and down in weights. Each-way claims if seeing out the 1m.
6 Dose – 4th of 12 at Yarmouth last month having been off since February. Below form 6th of 11 on last start here 12 days ago and needs to improve massively if she is to land a blow here.
7 Bromance – Showcasing Gelding who has had 7 starts so far for Peter Niven since July. Mixed form at best and only 8th of 11 on latest start here 12 days ago well beaten with the re-opposing Dose in 6th. Needs the return to 1m to have a positive effect but doubt that will come today.
8 Swansway – Wore blinkers for the first time and career-best last time out 2nd of 9 in a Handicap at Southwell 19 days ago. Stable remains in good form and likely to go close again if similar tactics are employed here.
9 Lozah – Produced a fine run to finish 2nd of 14 in a Handicap here 25 days ago finishing 1 ¼ lengths off the winner. Given a lot to do that day and if ridden more positively here can go well under her talented rider. Yard also run Hightime Girl and should give it her best shot having run well on her previous starts on Tapeta. Big player.
10 Desert Tango – 5th run win since winning at Chepstow in August, getting up to score that day by 5 lengths in a Lady Amateur Rider’s race. Shown nothing like that since and only 6th of 12 last time out at Wolverhampton 18 days ago. Others look stronger.
11 Captain Gerald – Only win from 22 flat runs and that came at Lingfield in June. 0-12 on the AW and he’s on a decent mark for this, will find life tough against a few others.
12 Great Colaci – Won here 2 starts back when getting up to win by a shoulder from a decent sort from the Nigel Tinkler yard. Flopped over C&D latest when only 7th 25 days ago and looks up against it here once again.
13 Mr Chuckles – 12 runs since last win at Hamilton in July last year. Only 9th of 11 in a Handicap at Southwell 19 days ago and poor strike-rate is off putting despite the reduced mark.
14 Back To Love – Has been poor last two runs including last time out at Chelmsford 33 days ago. Hampered that day and makes Tapeta debut today. Plenty to find on form and tackling this trip for the first time. Can be ruled out.