16:45 Windsor

Monday 9 October 2017

All14:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:4517:1517:45

Marston's Handicap

Off time: 16:46 | Winning time: 1m 42.06s

(1)

Breden^h¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: R Winston| T: Mrs L C Jewell| OR: 87| D

7/1

First victory since a return from a long absence at Newbury last time out. Down in trip here shouldn't be an issue as he has run well over this far in the past and it looks a similar sort of contest.

Form: 2/24661

(8)

Ghalib^b,t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 85

20/1

A winner at a lower level than this for Ed Walker but not so good since switching to this yard and not convincing that this is his optimum trip.

Form: F-52867

(2)

Manchego^t1⁷⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 84

7/1

Slightly disappointing in handicap company so far given the promise he showed in maidens, but may not have stayed at Newbury two starts ago and was in all likelihood outclassed at Newmarket latest. Maybe worth another chance.

Form: 2-100

(3)

Whip Nae Nae^p1⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: T J Murphy| T: R Hannon| OR: 83| D

11/2

Registered a first handicap victory at Newmarket last time out. Up 3lb in first time cheek pieces but remains broadly progressive for a top trainer and this looks to be his trip going forward.

Form: 366041

(5)

Black Trilby^h⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S Hitchcott| T: C G Cox| OR: 82

15/2

Eight race maiden who has gone down another 2lb here but his form has leveled off and he looks held even on his very best showings.

Form: 7-23236

(10)

Reaver^p1¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 79| CD

4/1

C&D winner who has been running okay in better races than this recently. Cheek pieces applied which may bring out some further improvement off his lowest mark for over a year.

Form: 534850

(7)

Sir Plato²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: William Carson| T: B R Millman| OR: 80| CD

14/1

C&D winner whose form has tailed off slightly but was in fine form prior to that. Possible he has reached his handicap ceiling but simultaneously isn't much higher than his last winning mark.

Form: 115177

(9)

Alemaratalyoum²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: J Quinn| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 78| D

9/1

Relatively consistent sort who usually runs his race and won nicely at Chepstow last time out. Would probably prefer some more rain but can't be ruled out either way up just 3lb.

Form: 214341

(4)

Dutch Uncle²³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: F Sweeney| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 75

50/1

Yes to finish within 5L of a rival for this trainer including in some similar quality contests to this one. Plenty more needed against some classier rivals.

Form: 600607

(6)

Dragons Voice³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Harry Bentley| T: P Hide| OR: 75| CD

9/2

Form has dropped off slightly the last twice but C&D winner prior to that and would be right up there with the best of these in his strongest form.

Form: 313108

Forecasts

Reaver (4/1), Dragons Voice (9/2), Whip Nae Nae (11/2), Breden (7/1), Manchego (7/1), Black Trilby (15/2), Alemaratalyoum (9/1), Sir Plato (14/1), Ghalib (20/1), Dutch Uncle (50/1)

This can go to WHIP NAE NAE, who won his first handicap at Newmarket last time and should be capable of building on that promising performance up only 3lb and over what seems to be his ideal trip. Any rain would be a help to Alemaratalyoum, who has the form to make his mark here, and Dragons Voice also rates a major threat if rediscovering the best of his form from earlier in the year.