Archerfield Cup Handicap

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 3m 29.21s

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Selected odds by:

(1)

Austrian School¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 96| BF

6/4

Dual winner at the start of the year when responding well to pressure to win over staying trips and has hardly run a bad race in defeat since. Good second in a Listed contest and Ascot handicap last two starts; looks to be crying out for this trip.

Form: 144223

(5)

Life On Earth¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: J P Spencer| T: W J Haggas| OR: 83

9/2

Winner of her last two races stepping up a grade last time she will have to do so again here as well as cope with a 4f longer trip. The form of both her wins looks sound though and she shapes as though she will stay this trip; off a career-high mark.

Form: 05211

(3)

Artarmon^v⁹^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: D Allan| T: M L W Bell| OR: 75

4/1

Had not looked the most straightforward until a change of headgear brought about a change of fortune with back-to-back wins (showed a good attitude to win a handicap last time; had run of race). This is tougher off 6lb higher without an easy lead.

Form: 244211

(4)

Timoshenko^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 74| D

11/4

Shares the profile of many from this yard that have shown progress when stepped up in trip and moved into handicaps. 4-4 in handicaps so far three under today's rider (favourite last three times); now faces his toughest test off a career-high mark.

Form: 09-1111

(2)

Gallus³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-0| J: Nathan Evans| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 70

25/1

Given his handicap debut trying this trip for the first-time; now gelded since having three quick qualifying runs over 1m4f. His Haydock debut hinted that there was more to come than his shown in two subsequent starts but he's been below form since.

Form: 547

Forecasts

Austrian School (6/4), Timoshenko (11/4), Artarmon (4/1), Life On Earth (9/2), Gallus (25/1)

Despite the small field a fascinating three-year-old staying contest with some big Southern stables with good records here represented. Timoshenko has been superbly placed to win four handicaps in a row and he may not have finished progressing yet with this trip holding no fears and his rider knowing him well. The suggestion though is AUSTRIAN SCHOOL who has hardy run a bad race all year and looks to have been crying out for this trip; his Listed race 2nd at Hamilton over a trip that was too short standing out. Artarmon looks a different horse in a visor but he’ll need to improve as will Life On Earth who despite her two good handicap wins has to prove herself at this level/trip.