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Off time: 15:08 | Winning time: 1m 9.93s

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(2)

Key Player¹⁰^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 78| C

2/1

A drop in grade plus a career-low mark proved to be the catalyst for a 7f win here last time (forced a strong pace; first run back from wind op). No surprise to see him turned out quickly under a 5lb penalty; has proved vulnerable off this mark befor

Form: 828401

(6)

Emily Goldfinch^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Grace McEntee⁽⁷⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 81| C| D

9/1

Four-time winner last year with one of those victories coming over 7f here (first leg of a hat-trick). Has proven herself over this shorter trip; produced a career-best last time at Newmarket (back on last wining mark); needs to step up again.

Form: 364361

(1)

Lightning Charlie²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Watson| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 81| CD

11/4

C&D winner off a 1lb lower mark last year but yet to really click this year in three starts albeit they all came in a higher grade than this. Ease in grade ought to help if he can find some spark having slipped below his last winning mark.

Form: 318-486

(5)

Leo Minor²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 79| D

11/1

Mark falling all the time (handicapper keen to give him a chance); has excuses for his last two below-par starts (better than form figures suggest). Yet to be seen how he handles this quirky track but if he does in with a good chance.

Form: 640-807

(4)

Pour La Victoire^p¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: George Downing| T: A W Carroll| OR: 77| CD

10/1

Needs no introduction at this course (nine times course winner) and very at home over this distance (won this race in 2016). Not hit form this year as yet but the cheekpieces worn for most of his wins return; prominent display expected.

Form: 1048-08

(7)

Diamond Lady³²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Hector Crouch| T: W Stone| OR: 75| CD

6/1

Her C&D win in April ended a long losing run although that was in a lower grade than this (has placed in better grades in the past). Failed to build on that run last time at Windsor and on balance others look to have more going for them.

Form: 886-215

(3)

Jack Taylor^e/s¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 74| BF| CD

6/1

Proved that he handles this track with two course wins (C&D win came on this card last year); has proved to be a rather awkward sort though. Looked a touch more tractable in first-time eyeshields last time; still one to be wary of.

Form: 3234-44

Forecasts

Key Player (2/1), Lightning Charlie (11/4), Diamond Lady (6/1), Jack Taylor (6/1), Emily Goldfinch (9/1), Pour La Victoire (10/1), Leo Minor (11/1)

Plenty of course form on display here with the distinct possibility that nine-times course winner Pour La Victoire with headgear back on will repeat his 2016 victory in this although he will have to try and do so off a 7lb higher mark. Emily Goldfinch has also won around here so the track holds no fears but her mark requires another step forward and the same can be said of Key Player. Lightning Charlie has slipped in the weights and it won’t be a surprise if this C&D winner bounces back to life. LEO MINOR has form figures that don’t encourage but he’s far better than those suggest and if he handles this track a return to winning ways isn’t out of the question.