Love Fairs Antique Fair 22 Oct Handicap

Off time: 16:26 | Winning time: 2m 7.92s

(6)

Oden^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 76| BF

2/1

Caught out by an enterprising ride when disappointed as favourite at Ripon last month but still learning his trade and the handicapper still put him up 2lb for that effort in defeat. More to do here but sets a good standard; shortlisted.

Form: 0-832

(5)

Prerogative^p²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 74

7/2

Consistent gelding that has made the frame 11 times from 15 starts. Has been cut some slack by the handicapper (rated 83 at his best) but there has to a concern about his willingness to go through with the effort when push comes to shove.

Form: 523253

(3)

Haulani^b1,t⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: H Crouch⁽³⁾| T: P Hide| OR: 73| C

2/1

Won his maiden over 7f at this course last season but has been a touch in-and-out this term. Better effort latest and likely to encounter similar ground, so possible he could go well. One to bear in mind.

Form: 3-88753

(2)

Av A Word^p¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 72| CD

11/2

Progressive of late and has already landed a hat-trick of wins over C&D since May, twice under today's pilot. Won in an authoritative manner at Epsom latest and will be very hard to master if able to cope with a 5lb higher mark on softer ground.

Form: 731611

(4)

Pink Ribbon^p¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Mitch Godwin⁽⁵⁾| T: S Kirk| OR: 65| D

12/1

Most experienced in the line up but also becoming hard to win with. Dropped to a handy mark but has a bit to find with Av A Word on these terms. Not certain to act as well as others might on the predicted going.

Form: 828844

Non-Runners

(1)

Funky Footsteps²⁶

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: Eve Johnson Houghton J: M Dwyer

Forecasts

Oden (2/1), Haulani (2/1), Prerogative (7/2), Funky Footsteps (5/1), Av A Word (11/2), Pink Ribbon (12/1)

The going will be the key to Av A Word, who is in the form of his life just now and he may have more to offer if the ground doesn't deteriorate too much. Whereas Oden is also on the upgrade and appeals despite shouldering top weight. However, FUNKY FOOTSTEPS has proven form when there is juice in the ground and, given that she has improved since being upped to 1m2f, she gets the nod as a more sporting option. Haulani is hard to get right but does handle this course, so is another worth bearing in mind.