Royal British Legion Handicap

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 1m 39.33s

(6)

Naval Warfare¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 92| D

5/1

Has endured an interrupted career to date and has shaped as if something amiss when well beaten the last twice. Had won his previous two starts at Ayr and Leicester but no guarantees he'll recapture that sort of form here.

Form: 421-100

(2)

Plutonian⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S De Sousa| T: C Hills| OR: 92| D

4/1

Cost 95,000 guineas and has improved with each run in maidens, culminating in an emphatic 10L win on his first attempt at 1m at Windsor (good to firm). Won so easily that day, that he may be starting life in handicaps off a tough mark.

Form: 561

(1)

Colibri²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 91

4/1

Brighton maiden last back-end who was a fine close-up fourth over 1m at Sandown (good) on his seasonal/handicap debut. Hasn't been able to back that up in two runs since - most recently over further - but remains of interest off current mark.

Form: 841-400

(5)

Night Circus³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 91| D

4/1

Opened up by winning a maiden over 1m here in April (good to firm) but very disappointing in a Listed event next time and only fourth of six in a Thirsk handicap subsequently. Gelded since so may do better but questions to answer.

Form: 154

(3)

Executive Force¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Georgia Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 88

8/1

Has now drawn a blank in eight runs since a winning debut at Newbury last season and the fact that he was gelded in the spring has seemingly failed to make a difference. Only dropped 3lb for finishing last of 12 at Ascot (1m, good to soft) latest.

Form: 240840

(4)

Tafaakhor^b²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Dane O'Neill| T: R Hannon| OR: 88| CD

10/3

Placed on numerous occasions before finally getting off the mark at the 10th attempt and, five runs later, he added another win over C&D (good) last month. Not inconceivable he could follow up after a 5lb rise.

Form: 155351

Forecasts

Tafaakhor (10/3), Night Circus (4/1), Plutonian (4/1), Colibri (4/1), Naval Warfare (5/1), Executive Force (8/1)

Plutonian was visually impressive when routing inferior rivals in a Windsor maiden last time but it was a weak race he won that day and there is a chance the handicapper may have over-reacted in allotting him a mark of 92 for his handicap debut. He could be worth taking on at the likely cramped odds with COLIBRI a possible value alternative given that he is a proven soft ground performer who has valid excuses for below par efforts the last twice. Night Circus may also do better after a gelding operation.