Old Golden Hen Handicap

Off time: 16:01 | Winning time: 1m 10.59s

Settings

Selected odds by:

(1)

Roussel^p1⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 100| D

5/2

Finished second in the Windsor Castle as a juvenile and looked progressive when a Listed third at York on his second run this year. Not disgraced in the Commonwealth Cup, however his two handicap runs have been disappointing and now makes AW debut.

Form: 2-13000

(3)

Encrypted²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 94| C| D

9/2

Looked a sprinter to note when winning a valuable and competitive handicap at York but then pulled up lame when down the field at Newmarket. Dropped in class and very disappointing last time and needs to bounce back.

Form: 19-5100

(4)

Nine Below Zero⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Watson⁽³⁾| T: R M Beckett| OR: 90

7/2

Very consistent sprinter who ran well on his only previous visit to this track. Probably weighted to his best at present and hasn't convinced previously over this trip with all three wins coming over the minimum distance.

Form: 231343

(2)

Blackheath²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: L Morris| T: E Walker| OR: 81| D

13/8

Progressive performer who posted a career best when winning at Salisbury. The poor draw rather than the 4lb rise looked the reason when not reproducing that level at Windsor and can bounce back. Looks a leading hope.

Form: 2-13618

(5)

Kodiac Express¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Nicola Currie⁽³⁾| T: M Murphy| OR: 79

20/1

Generally consistent sprinter at 5f who hit form winning three from four before a rare below par performance a Newbury. Has finished second on last three visits here and while she is on a very high mark at present is worth another try at this trip.

Form: 211515

Forecasts

Blackheath (13/8), Roussel (5/2), Nine Below Zero (7/2), Encrypted (9/2), Kodiac Express (20/1)

On his very best form Roussel would be hard to beat but needs to return from two poor runs in handicaps which were miles below that level. In first-time cheekpieces for his powerful and in-form stable he shouldn't be given up on yet and the smaller field may play to his strengths. Encrypted also boasts very smart ability but was beaten worryingly early at Windsor when BLACKHEATH was well ahead from a much worse draw. In contrast he looks a sprinter still on the up and gets the verdict. Nine Below Zero and Kodiac Express are better known for their exploits over the minimum trip but the latter has looked better suited of the pair by this extra distance.