15:52 Brighton

Sunday 31 August 2025

All13:5214:2214:5215:2215:5216:2216:5217:22

It Takes A Village Handicap

Off time: 15:52 | Winning time: 1m 36.02s

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Selected odds by:

(1)

Flag Carrier⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: S D Bowen| T: Brian Toomey| OR: 66| BF

18/1

Chelmsford City winner (7f) in March and had been in good form returning to turf following a 4-month break with back-to-back second place finishes. Found that run of form coming to a halt when last at Lingfield (7f, AW, 10/1) 5 days ago, doing plenty wrong. Has a bit to prove now.

Form: 641229

(10)

Kracking^t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Jack Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 64| CD

4/1

Headstrong front-runner scored over C&D from this mark April and despite running poorly in a stronger race than he need contest here earlier this month, ran better with usual hood removed when third at Yarmouth (8f, good) 7 days ago, typically racing keenly. He isn't one for maximum faith.

Form: 543503

(8)

Blenheim Star^p²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W J Knight| OR: 64| BF| CD

9/1

3-time C&D winner. Latest win here in April off this mark. Hasn't proved consistent since but ran well with cheekpieces on for first time when third over C&D (good) 24 days ago. Fairly treated but remains to be seen if headgear has the same effect here.

Form: 156383

(9)

Havana Mojito²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Joe Leavy| T: J Gallagher| OR: 63| CD

7/1

Landed a course double earlier this season but has proved a little hit and miss since. Bit below form sixth of 12 in a handicap at this C&D (good) 25 days ago, for all that was a stronger race. Ought to be more competitive back down in grade.

Form: 211826

(5)

Dragonflame²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Watson| T: B J Meehan| OR: 68| BF

10/3

Showed promise when runner-up on handicap debut at Yarmouth over 10f. Third of 8 in a handicap at Kempton (5/2) 20 days ago, strong in betting and taking a step forward having been gelded, doing well having raced wide and close to strong gallop. One of the least exposed and merits consideration.

Form: 78-823

(3)

Desert Footsteps³²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Marco Ghiani| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 62| BF| D

20/1

Set a strong gallop when producing a career best to win a 7-runner handicap at Chepstow (8.1f, good to firm) last September but did too much too soon when disappointing on softer ground over C&D the following month. Will need to settle better following a 10-month absence.

Form: 69616-

(7)

Louie The Legend⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Ray Dawson| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 66| D

8/1

Confirmed promise of previous run when making-all to return to winning ways at Nottingham (8.3f) last month, beating a subsequent dual winner. Creditable excuses since, disadvantaged by where he raced when well held at Newmarket (8f, good to firm) 8 days ago. Previous form gives him every chance.

Form: 004167

(11)

Towerlands²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: William Carson| T: A W Carroll| OR: 64| BF

14/1

Has shaped with promise for new connections, runner-up for the second time in 3 starts when narrowly denied over 7f here last time, travelled well but not helped by a sluggish start and trouble in running. Forced up in grade now but is still less exposed than most stepping back up in trip.

Form: 75-8292

(4)

Kondratiev Wave^p²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Jack Doughty| T: A W Carroll| OR: 57| CD

20/1

Enjoyed a purple patch at this venue around this time last year and possibly still needed the run on second start following a break when fourth of 8 here (7f) earlier this month. Still a couple of pounds above his last winning mark but ought to run well (yard also saddle Towerlands).

Form: 632654

(6)

Roscioli^t,v²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Paddy Bradley| T: B R Johnson| OR: 57| CD

33/1

Best effort of season when second in first-time visor at Bath in June and back in form when fourth of 5 in a handicap at Lingfield (9f) 29 days ago, probably ridden a shade too aggressively over a slightly longer trip. 2 lb below his last successful mark and respected back down in grade.

Form: 696254

(2)

Lunanova^h¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Billy Loughnane| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 58| BF| CD

7/2

Landed a C&D double on stable debut earlier this month and plenty in behind have run creditably since. Shaped much better than the bare result when third at Ffos Las (8f) last time (jockey removed blindfold late). That looks solid form for the grade and this should be run to suit. Strong claims.

Form: 786113

Non-Runners

(12)

H Key Lails¹²

Weight: 10-0| Age: 5

T: M J Attwater J: Tommie Jakes

Forecasts

Dragonflame (10/3), Lunanova (7/2), Kracking (4/1), Havana Mojito (7/1), Louie The Legend (8/1), H Key Lails (8/1), Blenheim Star (9/1), Towerlands (14/1), Flag Carrier (18/1), Kondratiev Wave (20/1), Desert Footsteps (20/1), Roscioli (33/1)

No shortage of pace and this should be run to suit strong-travelling LUNANOVA who landed the second leg of a C&D double on stable debut earlier this month and shaped as if still well-treated when running a cracker at Ffos Las having lost plenty of ground at the start. She's fancied to get the better of Dragonflame, who took a big step forward when a well-backed third at Kempton, while Louie the Legend wasn't ideally placed last time and has solid claims on his previous turf form this season.