17:55 Bath

Friday 4 August 2023

All17:5518:3019:0519:3520:0520:35

Bath Marquees Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:57 | Winning time: 1m 10.97s

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Selected odds by:

(3)

Symbol of Hope^p⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Alec Voikhansky⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 68| CD

7/1

Five-time course winner, with latest success over C&D in May. Below form when sixth of 7 in handicap at Sandown (5f, soft, 5/1) 8 days ago, though no surprise to see him bounce back returned to this track.

Form: 133236

(1)

Ruby Cottage³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Rose Dawes⁽⁵⁾| T: M S Saunders| OR: 68| CD

9/1

Three-time C&D winner. Looked rusty after a year off when last of 8 in handicap (15/2) at this C&D (good to firm) 30 days ago, slowly away. Could fare better with her reappearance run behind her.

Form: 41623-8

(9)

Big Bard¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Anna Gibson⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 67| D

11/4

Made it 3 wins from his last 4 starts when landing 8-runner handicap at Nottingham (6.1f, soft, 4/1) 17 days ago, scoring with bit in hand under Anna Gibson. Can score again in his current form.

Form: 621151

(5)

Secret Handsheikh^v²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Luke Catton⁽³⁾| T: J Gallagher| OR: 65| BF| C| D

28/1

Course winner. Successful at Brighton in April but below form since, eighth of 10 in handicap at Newbury (5.2f, good to firm, 9/2) 29 days ago. Visor back on.

Form: 817588

(2)

Autumn Angel¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Mollie Phillips| T: A W Carroll| OR: 64| CD

9/2

After 10 weeks off, proved better than ever when winning 14-runner handicap (7/1) at this C&D (good) 16 days ago. Conditions no problem and she can go well again back at this venue.

Form: 664361

(6)

Apache Star⁹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Aidan Keeley| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 55| CD

13/2

Soon back to form when doubling his career tally in 10-runner handicap (11/) at this C&D (good) 9 days ago. Can remain competitive under a penalty, but has yet to prove himself on ground softer than good.

Form: 353251

(8)

Aviary^h²⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Laura Pearson| T: A Wintle| OR: 58

25/1

Went through a good spell last autumn, getting off the mark at Wolverhampton (7.2f) in September. However, below-form eighth of 12 in handicap at the same C&D when last seen in November. Others preferred on return.

Form: 915258-

(4)

Concierge^p⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Paddy Bradley| T: M J Attwater| OR: 58| C| D

5/1

Course winner. Twenty-five runs since last success back in 2021, but has dropped a long way in the weights and ran well when third of 11 in handicap (5/1) at this C&D (good) 9 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 534303

(7)

Bungle Bay¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Joe Leavy⁽⁷⁾| T: H J Evans| OR: 57| BF| D

7/1

Notched second win of the year at Wolverhampton in July and continued in good heart when second of 10 in handicap (15/8) at Chelmsford City (6f) 10 days ago. Can give his running once more.

Form: 643212

Forecasts

Big Bard (11/4), Autumn Angel (9/2), Concierge (5/1), Apache Star (13/2), Symbol of Hope (7/1), Bungle Bay (7/1), Ruby Cottage (9/1), Aviary (25/1), Secret Handsheikh (28/1)

BIG BARD has been in fine form of late with the cheekpieces reapplied, doing just enough once in front when resuming winning ways at Nottingham last time, and he is taken to add to his tally. Autumn Angel got back on track when scoring at this C&D on her latest outing and could be the main danger, with Concierge completing the shortlist.