ESL Group Handicap

Off time: 16:47 | Winning time: 3m 8.47s

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(4)

Twin Star³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 93

15/8

Had no answers to easy winner Genetics at Ascot last time, second but well beaten, takes a step up in trip here and faces slower ground as well. Plenty to prove and looks in the grip of the handicapper anyway.

Form: 55-3552

(5)

Jabbaar¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 90| C

5/4

Showing tremendous consistency and holding form very well, winner here in May (10lb higher today) and has plenty of other good efforts at the track. Question mark is the trip, but every chance if staying it, as he handles some cut no problem.

Form: 122332

(1)

Super Kid^t⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 87

7/1

Came good at Wolverhampton in July (12f) but not so good since then, although not disgraced in a better race back there last time out. Another for whom this trip is an unknown, but he shapes as if he might stay it.

Form: 041506

(2)

Good Time Ahead¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: K Stott| T: P A Kirby| OR: 78| CD

12/1

C&D winner here in July (good to firm ground) but hasn't beaten a horse home in two starts since then. Has possibly found the 2m trip too far, so has excuses, but even so, could ideally do with it drying up a bit.

Form: 520187

(3)

Gabrial's King¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 8-10| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 75| CD

9/1

Very infrequent winner, only victory in the last three years coming in April 2017 and looks to have gone off the boil on last two starts. Holds a chance on July form with Good Time Ahead here but percentage call is to look elsewhere for the winner.

Form: 852466

(6)

Dark Ruler⁷²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 8-9| J: T Eaves| T: J Ward| OR: 74

33/1

First run for this yard after leaving Alan Swinbank, but hasn't been seen on a racecourse for two years and despite the handicapper giving him a chance, is likely to need this.

Form: 604200/

Forecasts

Jabbaar (5/4), Twin Star (15/8), Super Kid (7/1), Gabrial's King (9/1), Good Time Ahead (12/1), Dark Ruler (33/1)

Some of the more likely winners on form need to prove themselves at this trip, including SUPER KID, but he shapes as if he's worth a crack at it and this is a winnable event. Jabbaar barely knows how to run a bad one and can prove the main danger, with Good Time Ahead, who will appreciate dropping back in trip, another to consider.