Happy Birthday Graham Hallett Fillies' Handicap

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 2m 9.2s

(3)

Sagely²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: T Eaves| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 92| D

10/1

Dual winner last year taking a maiden in the AW and a Ripon handicap over 1m2f off a mark of 80 and ran creditably off a 10lb higher mark after that. Likely to have needed the run last time at Ascot after 8 months off and this run will reveal more although a mark of 92 will make life tough.

Form: 20257-7

(5)

High Hopes²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: J Fanning| T: D M Simcock| OR: 89| BF| D

5/6

Will be hoping that the ground doesn't dry up to much as all her form has come with plenty of give in the ground including her two Ffos Las wins over a mile and 1m2f (handicap debut). Certainly had ground conditions in her favour when making her seasonal debut at Doncaster although the race wasn't really run to suit (not ideally placed) and sure to have a decent chance if the ground stays in her favour.

Form: 2/4311-2

(2)

Lahayeb²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Alistair Rawlinson⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 89| D

14/1

Wind the clock back to 2015 and she would have a chance in this as she took a trio of handicaps at Nottingham in that year but them missed all of last season. Returned after 18 months off at Doncaster recently (wore first-time hood) but showed very little and will do well to reverse form with High Hopes who finished runner-up in that race.

Form: 12109/7

(4)

Prying Pandora⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 81

3/1

The 5lb rise that she got for winning on her AW debut at Newcastle has probably taken its toll as she looked to be held off this mark of 81 in a similar race last time out. Now tried over further in an effort to find some more improvement she looks to face a fairly tough task here against a couple of progressive types.

Form: 548-515

(1)

Footlight²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: S A Gray| T: R A Fahey| OR: 75

9/2

Possibly a better performer of the AW although it may well have been the longer trip (1m4f) that beat her last time out rather than the surface. Dropped in the handicap to just above her last winning mark but does need to bounce back from that modest run last time out.

Form: 213347

Forecasts

High Hopes (5/6), Prying Pandora (3/1), Footlight (9/2), Sagely (10/1), Lahayeb (14/1)

This looks to lie between the two that look progressive in this namely Sagely and HIGH HOPES with the latter looking the better handicapped although connections will be hoping that the ground doesn’t dry up too much. Footlight needs to overcome a poor run last time out and even though Prying Pandora looks harshly handicapped she may well be able to bustle up the so-called big two in this.