Betway Best Odds Guaranteed Plus Handicap

Off time: 16:41 | Winning time: 2m 51.5s

(3)

Persian Steel²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Robinson⁽⁷⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 76

5/1

Showed minor improvement over ten furlongs before taking a C&D maiden at odds of 66/1 on his third Flat start (fifth career). A sizeable, scopey sort, he relished the longer trip, and whilst it wasn't a strong race, there was no fluke about his success. Makes his handicap debut from a tough mark of 76.

Form: 74-155

(6)

Lac Leman^h²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: G Lee| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 75

11/2

Went under by a neck over 2m at this track a fortnight ago to a stablemate of Persian Steel in what can only be described as a farcical contest (run in a time 45 seconds above standard). Arguably the best horse in that race, he was given a moderate ride at best on just his second start off an injury break, and this ex-Graham Wylie owned gelding must go close before heading back over hurdles.

Form: 3/6-2123

(1)

Major Rowan²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: P Makin| T: J J Davies| OR: 73

16/1

Three time Fibresand winner who scored by nine lengths on his Tapeta debut over C&D in August 2016 (ridden by Phil Makin). Not as effective back on turf at Redcar in September (a maiden on grass) he returns fresh from a five month break, but with his AW mark hit by a savage 13lb hike in a much stronger Class 4 handicap.

Form: 17-4734

(2)

High On Light¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: S H James| T: T D Barron| OR: 72

9/4

Has been in fine fettle since switched to the AW in late September and dead-heated with Airton (who was given plenty to do) over C&D in mid December. Given a 5lb rise for that 'victory' but ran right up to her best when headed close home by Favourite Girl in a fillies handicap at Wolverhampton last week. Tough, versatile and reliable and will run her race, but vulnerable over this trip to a strong stayer.

Form: 122231-

(4)

Genres⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: J Fanning| T: G A Swinbank| OR: 68

5/4

Built upon the distinct promise of his previous Newcastle fourth (over ten furlongs) to land some strong market support stepped up in trip over C&D under Amateur rider Simon Walker last month. A 6lb rise for a three and a quarter length success appears relatively lenient, and a mark of 68 is still way below the mark of 82 that he competed off on turf as recently as April 2016. The horse to beat from a very capable dual purpose operation.

Form: 704-13P

Non-Runners

(5)

Modernism¹⁷

Weight: 9-7| Age: 8

T: Ian Williams J: S Donohoe

Forecasts

Genres (5/4), High On Light (9/4), Persian Steel (5/1), Modernism (5/1), Lac Leman (11/2), Major Rowan (16/1)

Lac Leman looks to be an AW winner in waiting, and was given a moderate ride last time in a race that can only be described as a farce (runners went a hack canter for the first twelve furlongs). However, connections must be mightily frustrated that he meets the still well handicapped GENRES, who was a decisive winner last time over C&D when stepped up to this trip, and a 6lb rise is highly unlikely to thwart a follow up bid with Joe Fanning back aboard. 1. Genres 2. Lac Leman 3. Modernism