16:30 Bath

Friday 14 April 2017

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:30

Dribuild Handicap

Off time: 16:32 | Winning time: 1m 38.08s

(9)

Oh This Is Us¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 107

3/1

Goes well on a fast surface, as he underlined when gaining the last of his four career wins over 7f at Doncaster in November. Only just touched off when sent off favourite for the Lincoln on his return and only 2lb higher now. Obvious claims.

Form: 1-35212

(12)

Hors De Combat⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: J Fortune| T: D J Coakley| OR: 102

9/1

Consistent performer at this level for James Fanshawe but has proved hard to win with in recent seasons. Has performed with credit in a couple of runs in Dubai for new yard but no margin for error off present mark.

Form: 205-232

(4)

Heaven's Guest¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁷⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 98

16/1

Enjoyed a great season in 2015 (three wins over 7f) but couldn't quite find the target last year. No impact made in three previous attempts at 1m, including in the Lincoln on his reappearance. Others preferred.

Form: 0000-07

(3)

El Vip¹⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: J P Spencer| T: L M Cumani| OR: 94

9/4

Unraced at two but looked a nice sort last year, winning at Doncaster over 1m2f and at Leicester on his final start (1m, good) from just four attempts. Raised 5lb ahead of reappearance with yard yet to really get going. Respected.

Form: 1431-3

(11)

Bunbury²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 90

12/1

Opened his account over 1m at Windsor (good to firm) last summer but handicap mark has climbed without winning since by virtue of three seconds on the AW this winter. Prone to taking a keen hold, so improvement possible if settling better.

Form: 2-27294

(10)

Worlds His Oyster⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: David Egan⁽⁷⁾| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 89

14/1

Twice a winner on turf, but returned better than ever when forging clear to win over 1m at Newcastle on the AW in February. Struggled to back that up from a higher mark over C&D next time and looks vulnerable here.

Form: 9-16580

(6)

Bold Prediction¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 8-5| J: Jane Elliott⁽⁷⁾| T: E Walker| OR: 88

16/1

Five times a winner on the AW but only once on turf from 31 attempts, and that win coming almost four years ago. That said, he was competitive from this sort of mark on occasions last term but others look more likely.

Form: 343463

(1)

The Warrior^e/s¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-3| J: F Norton| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 86

6/1

Ex-Balydoyle horse who contested the 2015 Irish 2,000 Guineas. Has produced three good runs for new yard since being gelded, culminating in a smart win over 1m at Kempton last month. Just 2lb higher here and looks a player.

Form: 321453

(7)

Kingston Kurrajong¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-3| J: J Quinn| T: M J Attwater| OR: 86

16/1

A winner in the mud over 1m at Windsor last summer and signed off with a decent fourth-placed effort on quicker ground at Ascot. Has since left Andrew Balding's yard and no immediate sign of improvement on the AW for new connections.

Form: 468540

(5)

Winklemann^p1¹⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-2| J: K T O'Neill| T: J L Flint| OR: 85

50/1

A winner in Italy as a three-year-old but failed to shine in three runs for Marco Botti last season. His mark has fallen as a result and cheekpieces are introduced on his reappearance for a new yard. Others appeal more.

Form: 00078-0

(8)

Invermere¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-0| J: Joey Haynes| T: R A Fahey| OR: 79

14/1

A winner at Catterick early last season and also scored over 1m at Windsor (1m, good to firm) in October. Good effort to finish second of 21 behind Zoravan over 7f at Doncaster (good) on her return but this is a bigger ask.

Form: 4514-28

Non-Runners

(2)

Boomshackerlacker²²⁹

Weight: 9-3| Age: 7

T: George Baker J: F Sweeney

(13)

Sir Roderic¹³

Weight: 8-12| Age: 4

T: B R Millman J: Ryan Tate

Forecasts

El Vip (9/4), Oh This Is Us (3/1), The Warrior (6/1), Hors De Combat (9/1), Bunbury (12/1), Worlds His Oyster (14/1), Invermere (14/1), Boomshackerlacker (14/1), Bold Prediction (16/1), Heaven's Guest (16/1), Kingston Kurrajong (16/1), Sir Roderic (16/1), Winklemann (50/1)

The progressive Oh This Is Us lost no caste in defeat when just touched off in the Lincoln at Doncaster recently on ground softer than ideal and it's not hard to envisage him playing a leading role here from just a 2lb higher mark. El Vip remains unexposed and is very much respected on his return but there was a lot to like about the way THE WARRIOR was played late to score at Kempton last time out and, being an ex-Ballydoyle horse, there could be plenty more to come.