16:40 Leicester

Saturday 29 April 2017

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1017:45

toteexacta Pick The 1st & 2nd Handicap

Off time: 16:43 | Winning time: 1m 24.41s

(9)

Himself¹⁷⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 76

6/1

Won over 6f at Windsor last year but hasn't looked as effective on three attempts at this trip. Ran too keen to do himself justice at Kempton last time though and he's better than that.

Form: 45183-

(5)

Navarone¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 75

9/1

Still a maiden after six starts and best effort came on heavy ground on debut. Unlikely to get those conditions here and he was disappointing on his comeback run at Musselburgh; opposable on balance.

Form: 3495-53

(10)

Ocean Air²⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: M Harley| T: J Tate| OR: 75

4/1

C&D winner on debut and form of that race has been franked to a moderate level by the runner-up and third placed horse since. Will need to take another step forward and that's entirely possible but yard have been a little quiet so far this season.

Form: 1-1

(6)

King of Nepal¹⁶⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Dane O'Neill| T: H Candy| OR: 74

13/2

Off the mark at the fourth attempt when last seen at Kempton, seemingly enjoying the step back up in trip. Handicapper not taken any risks with a 10lb rise in the weights though.

Form: 5031-0

(7)

Traveller^t⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: C Hills| OR: 74

17/2

Didn't need to improve to land a six-runner maiden at Lingfield last time, dominating a weak field from the front and will no doubt need more in this sphere.

Form: 5-531

(4)

Favourite Royal¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: R Winston| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 74

6/1

Looked an awkward ride to begin with last season but seems to have gotten the hang of things in recent times and produced a nice comeback run at Wolverhampton last time when narrowly denied. Fillies at this time of year capable of big steps forward in between races so she could prove herself to be well-handicapped if returning in the same mood.

Form: 536-24

(3)

Zebulon²²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon| OR: 74

5/1

Promising effort on his third and final start at Kempton last time and yard's runners have been particularly forward this year on their seasonal reappearances. Very must respected with this man in the saddle.

Form: 663-5

(1)

Rapid Rise⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Aaron Jones⁽³⁾| T: D H Brown| OR: 73

20/1

Still a maiden after six starts and appears to be going backwards currently. Yard have been quiet in recent times and hard to fancy on his latest effort when sixth of eight at Lingfield, with no obvious excuses.

Form: 323-566

(13)

Kody Ridge^h1²⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: T J Murphy| T: David Dennis| OR: 71

50/1

Went well over sprint trips last year but not been seen since a disappointing effort at Redcar in August and he may need this run after that sort of absence. Step up in trip not sure to suit either.

Form: 32240-9

(2)

Feel The Vibes²³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: K T O'Neill| T: M Blanshard| OR: 68

66/1

Well beaten on all five starts to date and very disappointing last of nine at Salisbury when last seen. Needs to have learnt plenty and improved over the winter to have any hope.

Form: 67449-

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 5p in the pound

Non-Runners

(8)

Camargue¹⁷

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: C & M Johnston J: J Fanning

(12)

Go On Mayson¹⁷

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: P D Evans J: Non Runner

(11)

Hisar¹⁷

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: R Harris J: David Probert

Forecasts

Ocean Air (4/1), Zebulon (5/1), Favourite Royal (6/1), Himself (6/1), King of Nepal (13/2), Traveller (17/2), Navarone (9/1), Camargue (14/1), Rapid Rise (20/1), Hisar (20/1), Go On Mayson (25/1), Kody Ridge (50/1), Feel The Vibes (66/1)

Zebulon looked like he was getting the hang of things on his latest start and he could be a different proposition this season, particularly with Ryan Moore in the saddle here. Ocean Air won over C&D on his only start to date and is of interest having proven himself here but it's FAVOURITE ROYAL could be the one to side with after a promising effort at Wolverhampton last time and she has race-fitness on her side.