32Red Casino Handicap

Off time: 12:50 | Winning time: 1m 37.37s

(3)

Motown Mick³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: T J Murphy| T: R Hannon| OR: 89| C| D

13/8

3-5 in nurseries and has struck up a good partnership with this rider. Suspicion he once again did just enough to score last time, but worth noting one of those defeats came in this grade off a similar mark.

Form: 411231-

(4)

Court House¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 83| D

5/4

Has a tendency to miss the break and that could be a problem in a race with two front-runners. Overturned a Godolphin hotpot last time and a line through the third suggests the handicapper has been tough on him. Improvement needed but likely.

Form: 62-1

(2)

Bungee Jump¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Shane Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 72

12/1

Has disappointed in all three starts since making all in heavy ground at Carlisle. Up considerably in class and meeting rivals who are on the upgrade.

Form: 36197-5

(1)

Cristal Pallas Cat²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽⁵⁾| T: R Ingram| OR: 71

9/2

Has improved since sent handicapping and front-running tactics almost paid off for a second time here on New Year's Eve. That was over 7f and the time was relatively slow. He is hard to settle and as a consequence the extra furlong rates a concern.

Form: 46912-

Forecasts

Court House (5/4), Motown Mick (13/8), Cristal Pallas Cat (9/2), Bungee Jump (12/1)

Just the four go to post for this and there are concerns for all of them. The two likely pacemakers, Bungee Jump and Cristal Pallas Cat, are up in class and the former has lost form. On the other hand Cristal Pallas Cat is improving but his speed figures are poor and there are doubts he will see out the mile. Motown Mick is in tremendous form at present and he overcame a six week absence to collect here last time and with something up his sleeve. However, it is feared he may struggle to concede 6lb to COURT HOUSE. John Gosden's runner has not been set an easy task by the handicapper, however he is on the upgrade and any improvement since Newcastle might be enough to secure victory. A break on terms would be a good place to start.