William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 2m 32.94s

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(1)

Manjaam²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽³⁾| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 96| CD

8/1

Struggled last year, but back to form when winning 11-runner handicap over C&D in May by a neck from Across The Stars. Well held from revised mark at Royal Ascot, although this is easier.

Form: 80-2610

(6)

Pacify²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: D Tudhope| T: R M Beckett| OR: 95| BF

11/4

Has been frustrating, his only handicap win coming in a match, but he's in good form, and probably should have won lady amateurs' race over C&D last time, just failing. Will go very close if in the same form now.

Form: 527-462

(3)

Contango³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 93| BF

7/2

Best effort this season when a close third of 7 over C&D in May, and not seen to best effect in a tactical affair at Pontefract last time. Should have more to offer for in-form yard.

Form: 112-833

(2)

Mukhayyam^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 90| CD

7/2

Has gained two of his four wins for current yard in C&D handicaps, and took advantage of an ease in the weights to make all here last time under a good claimer. Up in the handicap again, and opposable from new mark.

Form: 8-06251

(4)

Mister Belvedere²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 88| CD

7/1

Inconsistent sort, but ran best race in some time when beating Pacify narrowly in amateur contest here last time (for trainer's daughter). All out there, and even a small rise makes him look vulnerable.

Form: 207-201

(5)

Framley Garth¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Paula Muir⁽⁷⁾| T: L A Mullaney| OR: 82| BF| CD

9/2

Improved for quick ground to land back-to-back handicaps at Doncaster and over C&D, and improved again when runner-up here last time. Another 3lb higher here, and in stiffer company, but not dismissed.

Form: 154112

Forecasts

Pacify (11/4), Mukhayyam (7/2), Contango (7/2), Framley Garth (9/2), Mister Belvedere (7/1), Manjaam (8/1)

The majority of the field have recent C&D wins to their name, which is quite unusual, but it may be the two who don't who are the pair to concentrate on. PACIFY really ought to have beaten Mister Belvedere here last time, and should turn the tables on balance of form, while Contango will appreciate the chance to compete in a strongly-run race, and looks to be building up to something. Mukhayyam is high in the weights again, but is respected as the sole speed in the contest.