Stonbury Handicap

Off time: 19:22 | Winning time: 1m 39.27s

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(3)

Flashy Snapper²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Edward Greatrex⁽³⁾| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 90

11/2

Put in a much improved showing to win a Southwell maiden easily on his second start. Makes his turf and handicap debut here of a relatively high mark; it would be warranted if the form of that maiden can be taken at face value which is questionable, but he is clearly unexposed.

Form: 9-17

(5)

Mustarrid³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Dane O'Neill| T: R Hannon| OR: 90

3/1

Makes his turf debut here having been put up 6lb for a handicap win at Chelmsford last time out. Has run with credit in all of his starts so far and looks to be improving fast, so a bold bid is anticipated here.

Form: 31-1

(4)

Mister Belvedere²³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 87

9/1

Has finished on the premises in all of his starts so far including a 7L victory at Carlisle in August. Goes up 5lb from a fine second on handicap debut last time but should still go close.

Form: 3212-

(6)

City Of Joy¹⁹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: D Tudhope| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 84

4/1

Finished last of all in a Newbury Group 3 last time but has his sights lowered now to a more suitable level. Opening handicap mark looks high enough based on what he's achieved, but he should still run well.

Form: 5210-1

(7)

Glorious Artist²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Morris| T: C Hills| OR: 83

20/1

Took long enough to get off the mark but has run some fair races other than that and the step up to a mile should suit. Handicap mark should be workable but there's a mild question mark over whether he would be better with slightly softer ground.

Form: 424-313

(2)

Bless Him³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 82

9/4

Justified favouritism at the second attempt last time having lost out at odds-on on debut. Makes his turf debut here off what could be a fair opening mark, especially if he's progressing slowly and steadily, which seems to be the case at this stage.

Form: 21

(1)

In First Place¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 80

12/1

Ran a fair race in third at Ripon last time (1m, good to firm) but a step up would be required here based on what he's achieved so far, even off a light weight.

Form: 05251-3

Forecasts

Bless Him (9/4), Mustarrid (3/1), City Of Joy (4/1), Flashy Snapper (11/2), Mister Belvedere (9/1), In First Place (12/1), Glorious Artist (20/1)

This is another open looking contest, but perhaps MUSTARRID is the one to side with. He runs for the first time on turf here having done well on the all-weather including when winning at Chelmsford last time out. He's up 6lb but is still improving and looks the type to get better having learnt from previous runs. He is taken to beat Bless Him, who looks to be a more gradually developing type, and Flashy Snappy who won very stylishly at Southwell last time but has to consolidate that form, especially given that that is such a specialist track.