Betway Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:35 | Winning time: 2m 25.7s

Settings

Selected odds by:

(2)

Priors Brook⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Joshua Bryan⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 77

9/4

Took advantage of a drop in the weights to collect at Lingfield. Beaten but not disgraced last time as he gave his usual honest run. Unproven on the surface and his sire has had few runners on it. Represents a yard that do well in apprentice races and get regular winners here.

Form: 821-427

(5)

Storm King¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Finley Marsh⁽⁷⁾| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 74

5/2

Yet to win beyond a mile but shaped well in this grade over C&D last month under a change of tactics and holds The Lock Master on that evidence. Beaten in two better races since and this front runner may take some catching.

Form: 461321

(3)

Falcon's Fire¹⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Shirley Teasdale| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 74

25/1

Took time to come to hand last year but improved to land three races. Handicapper appears to have his measure for now and only previous run here was on debut. May be one for another day unless market dictates otherwise.

Form: 78-5825

(1)

The Lock Master^v¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-4| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 70

11/2

Registered eighth course success here last time in a first time visor. Up in grade and off a higher mark this should be tougher and he has a bit to find with Storm King. A doubt persists that he can string two wins together nowadays but this race may not be that competitive.

Form: 613635

(6)

Go George Go⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Shepherd| T: G A Swinbank| OR: 71

5/2

Winner of four slowly run races at Newcastle before finishing third there off today's mark in another. Makes his Fibresand debut but sire's progeny have a good record here. Has a highly experienced rider on board who has ridden him before.

Form: 134232

Non-Runners

(4)

Order Of Service²⁸

Weight: 9-2| Age: 7

T: S A Harris J: Mr Aiden Blakemore

Forecasts

Priors Brook (9/4), Storm King (5/2), Go George Go (5/2), The Lock Master (11/2), Falcon's Fire (25/1), Order Of Service (25/1)

STORM KING has not won since 2014 but having missed the whole of the following year he has taken time to drop to a competitive mark. Connections appear to have found his level and a change of tactics produced a much improved display last month. He meets The Lock Master on 2lb worse terms for finishing 3¾L ahead of that rival and should account for him again. A similar positive ride from the front could expose any flaws in STORM KING's rivals as they either need to prove their ability on this surface or that they can defy the handicapper. Go George Go is bred to act here and he has a progressive profile. All his wins have come in slowly run races and this looks set to be run at a more generous pace. The Lock Master should finish closer to Storm King and a visor helped him last time. His stable are in form and he should make he frame at least.