17:10 Beverley

Thursday 17 August 2017

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:1017:40

Michael Jagger 70th Birthday Handicap

Off time: 17:12 | Winning time: 1m 49.92s

(8)

Portledge¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: P J McDonald| T: J D Bethell| OR: 72

5/1

Seven-race maiden who runs to a consistent level and drops in grade. The yard have been tinkering with tactics and he is best watched until they find the key to getting the best from him.

Form: 6575-33

(10)

Nepeta²⁹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 70

12/1

Winner of a Musselburgh maiden makes a belated seasonal bow. There have clearly been problems but the stable are sure to have her close to readiness. Suited to forcing tactics but vulnerable once headed.

Form: 841424-

(12)

Mont Royal³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: A Mullen| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 70| CD

9/2

Had been looking well handicapped prior to his C&D success in a 0-80 race here last month. Left it late that day and his style of running leaves him a hostage to fortune. Just 2lb higher and a repeat cannot be ruled out.

Form: 38-4041

(7)

Pantera Negra¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Nathan Evans| T: T D Barron| OR: 68

6/1

Had built a frustrating profile prior to her Musselburgh success two weeks ago. That came on softer ground over further and she does not convince as one who might follow up.

Form: 358-201

(2)

Armagnac¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Louis Steward| T: M L W Bell| OR: 65

11/1

11-race maiden who is showing signs of regressing. Drops in grade but hard to be confident about his prospects.

Form: 354740

(5)

Golconda Prince¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 65

5/1

Ribchester's half-brother is beginning to look a family outcast having built up a disappointing record. Three seconds in his last four starts, having come off worst in tight finishes, put him in the picture with others more likely to grab the headlines.

Form: 342322

(1)

Four Wishes²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 64

7/1

Stable going well at the moment and won well on his handicap debut back in April this year showing improved form over 7f. Shaped well enough since then but didn't appear to get home on testing ground trying 1m2f for the first time at Doncaster. Looks more of a player here.

Form: 8-14630

(11)

Moonlight Blue^p³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 64

33/1

Beaten 16L when outclassed by Master Singer and finishing second at Newcastle in May. Has fared little better in both starts since including with cheekpieces last time. Beginning to look one paced and harshly treated by the handicapper.

Form: 407-264

(3)

Dreamofdiscovery^p²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Joe Doyle| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 62| D

8/1

Landed a Leicester seller on soft ground by a neck two weeks ago. Faces a much sterner test up considerably in class and on forecast quicker ground.

Form: 60-7331

(6)

Tesko Fella¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 61

16/1

Stable in form but current efforts suggest he needs some help from the handicapper. Trainer has done well with other Hannon cast offs but appears to have her work cut out with this maiden.

Form: 044368

(9)

Seebring^p³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Shane Gray| T: B Ellison| OR: 55

25/1

Has looked short of speed and the step up 1m2f last time should have gone better. Stable took this last year but a repeat looks unlikely.

Form: 47-577

(4)

Zone In³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Cam Hardie| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 53

33/1

Well beaten on last two starts and has since switched yards. Best effort of this season came over C&D but still leaves with him with a lot to find.

Form: 864509

Forecasts

Mont Royal (9/2), Golconda Prince (5/1), Portledge (5/1), Pantera Negra (6/1), Four Wishes (7/1), Dreamofdiscovery (8/1), Armagnac (11/1), Nepeta (12/1), Tesko Fella (16/1), Seebring (25/1), Zone In (33/1), Moonlight Blue (33/1)

MONT ROYAL scored in higher grade on his last start here. His style of running means he can encounter trouble but also leaves the handicapper struggling to evaluate him. A 2lb rise in the weights is undemanding having looked nicely treated last time. Golconda Prince and Portledge are proving hard to win with but both would be expected to figure. Four Wishes should be a different proposition on this surface and over a more suitable trip.