Betway Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 3m 32.79s

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(7)

Seaport^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Burns| T: S Durack| OR: 86

8/1

Multiple winner for Andre Fabre in France who showed nothing in two turf runs for this yard but has improved to finish third in both AW starts since, most recently when 3¾L behind Mambo Dancer. Likely to be in the mix.

Form: 67/00-33

(6)

Rydan^p³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: Theodore Ladd| T: G & J Moore| OR: 85

7/1

Not proving easy to win with but was short-headed over this C&D in December before a creditable effort over shorter at Chelmsford. Still largely untested over this distance, so couldn't be ruled out off a feasible mark.

Form: 35522-4

(3)

Silver Quay²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Poppy Bridgwater⁽³⁾| T: J D Frost| OR: 82| C

16/1

Twice a winner over 1m4f here in his younger days but hasn't scored for over two years, including when tried over hurdles last year. Reasonable effort over 2m at Wolverhampton when reverting to the Flat but others preferred.

Form: 57237-4

(1)

Author's Dream^v²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Watson| T: W J Knight| OR: 81| CD

9/4

Still lightly-raced and has proved a revelation on the AW since a visor was introduced, winning three successive 2m events with a fair bit up his sleeve. Raised a further 6lb for last month's C&D success but a four-timer not ruled out.

Form: 9431-11

(5)

Barye²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: S J Cummins| T: R Hughes| OR: 79| BF| C

6/1

Once held a rating above 100 and, though he has regressed markedly, a recent close third over 1m4f here suggests his current mark is workable. That said, he has never excelled in previous forays over this trip.

Form: 6737-43

(2)

Havana Beat¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Aled Beech| T: A W Carroll| OR: 77| D

20/1

A useful stayer for Andrew Balding in his younger days who ran well in defeat over hurdles last year but, all told, it was 2014 when he last had his head in front. Only fourth of six over 2m at Chelmsford recently.

Form: 7770-64

(4)

Mambo Dancer⁴^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrew Breslin| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 71| D

15/8

A revelation since upped in trip on the AW this winter, making it three wins from his last five starts with a comfortable success over 2m at Chelmsford last week. Yard won this last year, obvious player under a penalty.

Form: 0-12131

Forecasts

Mambo Dancer (15/8), Author's Dream (9/4), Barye (6/1), Rydan (7/1), Seaport (8/1), Silver Quay (16/1), Havana Beat (20/1)

Both Author's Dream and Mambo Dancer have made rapid strides in the AW staying sphere this winter, particularly the former who again appeared to win with a fair bit up his sleeve when scoring over C&D last time out. Both are going to take some beating despite their rising marks but RYDAN remains largely unexposed over this distance and could offer some value under the talented Theodore Lad if building on the form he showed to finish a short-head second over C&D just after Christmas when last tried at this trip.