Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 4m 12.67s

(2)

Lac Leman^h²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: G Lee| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 74

9/2

Prominent until weakened from 2f out when fifth of six in a better race than this over C&D on return from injury last month. Useful hurdler who won on debut for these connections in that sphere (Musselburgh January 2016), and could go better here in the first time hood on the Flat (worn over hurdles in the past for previous trainer Paul Nicholls).

Form: 3/6-2123

(3)

Spiritoftomintoul¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: George Downing⁽³⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 71

2/1

A two time AW winner from 15 starts on synthetics including for this rider over 1m6f at Wolverhampton from a mark of 75 in February 2016. 4lbs lower here (71), and shaped as if a step upto this trip would suit last time at Wolverhampton on just his second start since June 2016.

Form: 7-44674

(1)

Cavalieri^p,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: K Stott| T: P A Kirby| OR: 68

11/4

A three time AW winner (including twice for Kevin Stott this winter) over both C&D and at Chelmsford. 7lbs higher here than for the latest of those successes, but beaten just over a length from this mark here last time by Jan Smuts and should have the measure of that rival on revised terms.

Form: 337631

(4)

Royal Flag³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: T Eaves| T: B Ellison| OR: 61

9/2

Maiden, and hadn't shown a great deal in three previous starts here until stepped up in trip for his last start, finishing a keeping on fourth to Isharah over C&D earlier this month. His mark has remained untouched (61), and this is weaker, but this Godolphin cast off needs to (not totally out of the realms of possibility) produce a shade more to break the maiden tag.

Form: 90-4121

(5)

Jan Smuts^t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 8-13| J: Hollie Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: W Storey| OR: 59

6/1

C&D winner who is very much suited by this trip and seems to go very well for Hollie Doyle, who held little chance dropped back to 1m4f last time. Landed some bets when winning here earlier this month, but has work to do to beat Cavalieri (third) on revised terms, but this is a more suitable race than last time nevertheless.

Form: 524564

Non-Runners

(6)

Stanarley Pic¹⁸⁴

Weight: 9-4| Age: 6

T: G A Swinbank J: Neil Farley

Forecasts

Spiritoftomintoul (2/1), Cavalieri (11/4), Royal Flag (9/2), Lac Leman (9/2), Stanarley Pic (5/1), Jan Smuts (6/1)

Lac Leman didn't run too shabbily last time on his return to the track and probably just needed the race and could be of interest if the money arrives for this winning hurdler, but it's equally likely that hurdles will await after today. Jan Smuts knows this track like no other, but could have a tough task confirming placings with Cavalieri who is reunited with his old pal Kevin Stott. This trip seemed to bring out the best in Royal Flag last time and further improvement is a distinct possibility, but narrow preference is for SPIRITOFTOMINTOUL who is on a fair mark and looks set to run a big race with the benefit of a couple of pipe openers behind him at Southwell and Wolverhampton over the past few weeks. 1. Spiritoftomintoul 2. Cavalieri 3. Royal Flag