136th Year Of The Watt Memorial Handicap

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 3m 35.88s

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(4)

Red Verdon^p¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: B A Curtis| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 97| D

7/2

Admirable sort who wasn't seen to best effect in big-field handicap at Royal Ascot 2 starts back. Never a threat when eighteenth of 20 in the Northumberland Plate but this is less demanding at least. Cheekpieces replace blinkers.

Form: 254800

(3)

Just Hubert^b1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 88| D

2/1

Cashed in off reduced mark to land back-to-back 2m handicaps here/Goodwood last summer. No threat over an inadequate trip on return but he's disappointed both starts since, well held in Ascot Stakes 4 weeks ago.

Form: 113-000

(6)

Dash Of Spice^t³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Ryan Sexton⁽⁵⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 88

12/1

Seen to good effect when landing 4-runner Pontefract handicap (12f) last summer. Not matched that level since, well beaten eighth in Queen Mother's Cup at York (11.8f) in June.

Form: 61875-8

(2)

Patient Dream^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: K Stott| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 88

7/1

Four-time winner on Flat for Ralph Beckett who ran up to best over hurdles for present yard when runner-up in a Stratford novice (16.3f) last month. Certainly no forlorn hope back on Flat/upped in trip.

Form: 414134-

(1)

Smart Champion^h¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Connor Beasley| T: D M Simcock| OR: 79| D

15/8

Thirteen runs since last win in 2020. 22/1, fourteenth of 18 in Northumberland Vase handicap at Newcastle (16.2f) 17 days ago. Eased further in weights now

Form: 350-260

Non-Runners

(5)

Midrarr¹⁷

Weight: 9-3| Age: 5

T: B Ellison J: Ben Robinson

Forecasts

Midrarr (13/8), Smart Champion (15/8), Just Hubert (2/1), Red Verdon (7/2), Patient Dream (7/1), Dash Of Spice (12/1)

MIDRARR ran well on the back of a wind op when keeping on for second over shorter at Newcastle 17 days ago and a repeat should see her firmly in the mix back up in trip. Red Verdon needs to shrug off a lesser effort in the Northumberland Plate but can get involved if doing so. Patient Dream, back on the Flat, is also worth a second look.