Betway Handicap

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 1m 10.72s

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(4)

Alsvinder^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94

7/1

Generally consistent on the AW so far and has won four times this term. Ran close to his best when second to Merhoob over this C&D last time. Weighted up to his best but should be competitive again.

Form: 571502-

(5)

Merhoob¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: J Ryan| OR: 92| CD

9/4

Five from 17 on an AW surface and gained a second C&D success when beating Alsvinder here last start. Now three from four at this track and has a very good attitude. Should go close again off just 2lb higher.

Form: 039951-

(6)

Reflektor²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 92| CD

8/1

Won this race last year off 2lb lower and back on last winning mark. Likes to front run so may have to work hard to get across early and needs to bounce back from a poor return to action at Wolverhampton last month.

Form: 8/11547-

(1)

Gorgeous Noora⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 91| CD

3/1

Former C&D winner on only previous visit here who had a generally consistent profile when trained by Luca Cumani. Tried in Listed company on last start in October but does look quite high in the handicap on stable debut.

Form: 351245-

(2)

Desert Doctor²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: L P Keniry| T: E Walker| OR: 90| CD

5/2

C&D winner who has a much better profile on the AW and came back to form with a good second at Wolverhampton on his reappearance last month. Likely to have benefited for the run and now 2lb below last win.

Form: 370092-

(3)

Zac Brown^t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: Seamus Cronin⁽⁷⁾| T: C Wallis| OR: 87| CD

14/1

Close fourth to Merhoob on his first run for 143 days when travelling well and tiring late. Should be much better for the run and has won off higher marks in the past. Every chance he can reverse the form with his rider's claim taken into account.

Form: 174734-

Forecasts

Merhoob (9/4), Desert Doctor (5/2), Gorgeous Noora (3/1), Alsvinder (7/1), Reflektor (8/1), Zac Brown (14/1)

Merhoob showed fine battling qualities in his defeat of Alsvinder here and could easily follow-up, however Zac Brown caught the eye in behind and is taken to reverse the form. Despite that DESERT DOCTOR gets a narrow preference in a competitive race as he likewise should have come on plenty for his reappearance and remains well handicapped.