William Hill Silver Cup Handicap

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 2m 3.24s

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(3)

Dark Vision^b⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 102| BF

7/2

All wins on good or firmer, so conditions a slight worry, but his best effort came on his only try at 1¼m, when a close fourth to Walkinthesand at Newmarket in July. Not discredited over 1m since, and much respected back at this trip.

Form: 048406

(2)

Victory Command⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Connor Beasley| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 100| C| D

9/2

Good fourth to Forest of Dean at Goodwood early this month, and won at Chelmsford next time. Again finished behind Forest of Dean with a creditable fifth at York last week, and Joe Fanning prefers Dark Vision.

Form: 145415

(1)

Good Birthday⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: A M Balding| OR: 95| BF| D

11/4

Third in ultra-competitive London Gold Cup at Newbury in May, and just ¾L behind Dark Vision when fifth to Walkinthesand at Newmarket when last seen. 1lb worse off with that rival now, but is proven with cut in the ground.

Form: 21-1305

(6)

Desert Icon²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95| BF| D

15/8

Unraced at two, and on ground slower than good. Handicap winner at Salisbury (1½m) off 10lb lower in June, and matched that when second to Waldstern at Newmarket last time. Clear of a next-time-out winner there. and that form looks notably strong.

Form: 413182

(5)

Three Comets^b1³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 92

9/1

Won a novice race at Hamilton in August. Beaten a long way out in the Lingfield Derby Trial on return to action, and again failed to fire after being gelded when down the field at Goodwood last time. Blinkers reached for now, and risky.

Form: 3122-00

(4)

Arctic Fox²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 87| D

25/1

Landed a hat-trick at up to 1m2½f earlier in the summer, but below form on both starts since, and a minimal drop in the weights doesn't appeal as enough to see her competitive now.

Form: 611166

Forecasts

Desert Icon (15/8), Good Birthday (11/4), Dark Vision (7/2), Victory Command (9/2), Three Comets (9/1), Arctic Fox (25/1)

Little to choose between the top quartet, but GOOD BIRTHDAY has shown himself to be well suited by easy ground, and that may give him the edge if the track rides as expected. Desert Icon's latest effort is working out well, and he's narrowly preferred to Dark Vision for the minor medals.