Betway Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 2m 28.63s

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(4)

Desert Emperor^t³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Oliver Stammers| T: I Furtado| OR: 85| BF| D

2/1

Three wins from 12 runs last year, latest at Wolverhampton in December. 4/6, second of 4 in handicap at Newcastle (10.2f) 37 days ago, conceding first run. Another bold bid likely.

Form: 21211-2

(2)

Finniston Farm⁵²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: George Rooke| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 83| D

40/1

66/1, eleventh of 17 in handicap at Haydock (14f, soft). Off 17 months. Makes polytrack debut. Probably best watched.

Form: 451540/

(5)

Marion's Boy^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: R A Teal| OR: 79| C

9/4

4-time course winner. Three wins from 12 runs last year. 11/1, good second of 10 in handicap at this course (10f, AW) 21 days ago, conceding first run. Sure to go well again.

Form: 74111-2

(1)

Koeman¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Rose Dawes⁽⁷⁾| T: M R Channon| OR: 77| CD

9/2

C&D winner. Creditable ¾-length second of 10 to Melakaz in handicap at this course (13f, AW, 13/2) 18 days ago. Can give another good account.

Form: 5458-32

(6)

Creationist^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Connor Murtagh| T: L Carter| OR: 73

22/1

Nineteen runs since last win in 2019. Respectable 5½ lengths sixth of 10 to Melakaz in handicap at this course (13f, AW, 25/1) 18 days ago.

Form: 0947-36

(3)

Melakaz¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: Harry Davies⁽⁷⁾| T: R Stephens| OR: 66| C

10/3

Followed up from last time in 10-runner handicap at this course (13f, AW, 10/3) 18 days ago, by ¾ length from Koeman, cosily. Much respected in hat-trick bid.

Form: 3520-11

Forecasts

Desert Emperor (2/1), Marion's Boy (9/4), Melakaz (10/3), Koeman (9/2), Creationist (22/1), Finniston Farm (40/1)

The much-improved DESERT EMPEROR wasn't quite able to reel in the better positioned winner in a steadily-run contest at Newcastle last month, so he remains of firm interest. Marion's Boy and Melakaz are others who arrive in top form and must be taken seriously.