A For Agency Handicap

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 3m 29.72s

(5)

On Fire¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: P Hanagan| T: J D Bethell| OR: 75

6/4

Finished 2¾L behind Stormin Tom last time and 3lb better off now.Best effort this season came under this rider (5-22 for the yard) when runner-up at Haydock. That earned him a further rise in the weights and he now steps up to 2m.

Form: 215423

(2)

Stormin Tom¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Rachel Richardson⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 73| D

9/2

Made all to score over 1m6f last time and probably better over this trip. A 3lb hike does not seem demanding based on that effort, although he has generally struggled from marks above 70.

Form: 402261

(1)

Braes Of Lochalsh³²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: P J McDonald| T: J S Goldie| OR: 69

6/1

Produced his first poor run of the campaign when having his sixth run in eight weeks last time. Given a break since and capable off this mark, however best form has been over shorter.

Form: 222525

(3)

Noble Behest^p¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: George Wood⁽³⁾| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 64| D

15/8

Improved when moving up in distance to score at Chelmsford. Beat a subsequent winner that day and the pair finished well clear. Cheekpieces made a difference and he now has to prove himself on turf and in higher grade.

Form: 90-701

Non-Runners

(4)

Aviator⁵⁶⁸

Weight: 9-11| Age: 9

T: J M P Eustace J: G Lee

Forecasts

On Fire (6/4), Noble Behest (15/8), Stormin Tom (9/2), Braes Of Lochalsh (6/1), Aviator (8/1)

Stormin Tom and On Fire clashed at Ripon last time with the former scoring in game fashion. The pair are closely matched here but find themselves conceding plenty of weight to a potential late developer in NOBLE BEHEST. He improved significantly for the step up in trip last time and the application of headgear. A rise in grade and a switch to turf will ask new questions, but his trainer is a rare visitor here and has an excellent strike rate with last time out winners.