Acorn Property Group Handicap

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 1m 22.21s

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(6)

Graphite Storm¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: H Crouch| T: C G Cox| OR: 86| D

5/2

Built on the promise of his previous run when scoring in a six-runner affair at Newmarket (7f, good/firm) coming from off the pace as usual. Not quite in the same form last time (didn't quite get the run of things); still expected to challenge here.

Form: 395214

(4)

Bungee Jump⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Rossa Ryan| T: G Harris| OR: 85| CD

9/1

Defeated two of today's rivals (Sir Roderic/Ragstone View) in his back-to-back course wins earlier this year (one over 7f); given an attacking ride both times. Form since has a rather uneven profile (below-par last time); others have more appeal.

Form: 159563

(1)

I Am A Dreamer^v⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 87| D

11/1

Typical 3yo from this yard in that he's been given plenty of opportunities and despite looking handicapped to the hilt scored at Catterick last month (7f, soft). Not in the same form last time but dangerous to write one off from this yard.

Form: 049317

(5)

Aluqair^h¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Jim Crowley| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 83| D

6/4

Given his handicap debut having opened his account last time in a Salisbury 7f novice (didn't have to improve to score). Despite the modest level of form (beat the favourite for 3.15 on this card) he showed a good attitude; low-mileage, more to come.

Form: 45-2321

(3)

Ragstone View^h²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Charles Bishop| T: B R Millman| OR: 73| D

9/1

Appears to have a struggle on his hands to recover his earlier form from this year which saw him score at Newbury (goes well there) in July over 1m. Not in the same form on his last two visits there; found little last time, others preferred.

Form: 226148

(2)

Sir Roderic^v¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: B R Millman| OR: 72| C| D

6/1

The more likely of the pair from this yard he's already a winner over 1m here this year off a 3lb lower mark. Looked to be holding his form well until a below-par effort last time; return of the visor/jockey booking point to a better performance.

Form: 432246

(7)

Waqt^p¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: S P Davis⁽³⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 70| D

25/1

Like a few of his rivals enjoyed a decent period earlier in the season (scored three times at up to 1m). Form gradually tailed off since his last victory (ran poorly last time); leading apprentice takes the ride; needs to show more zip to interest.

Form: 321257

Forecasts

Aluqair (6/4), Graphite Storm (5/2), Sir Roderic (6/1), Bungee Jump (9/1), Ragstone View (9/1), I Am A Dreamer (11/1), Waqt (25/1)

The two three-year-olds are of obvious interest against their elders with the weight-for-age scale still tilted in their favour. The pair I Am A Dreamer and Aluqair both hold claims but they could face pace pressure not only from each other but also from Bungee Jump who generally likes to run his races from the front. That pace scenario will favour GRAPHITE STORM who got the necessary breaks when winning at Newmarket but failed to do so last time. He remains fairly treated and it’s hard not to see him as a leading candidate. The return of a visor and the booking Oisin Murphy catch the eye when assessing the chances of Sir Roderic and this course winner is hard to ignore in race calculations.