Betway Casino Handicap

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 2m 40.04s

(1)

Busy Street¹⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: B A Curtis| T: Sally Haynes| OR: 76| CD

9/4

Useful sort who has a good record over C&D (122) and generally acts well on the surface although his losing run is starting to stack up now. Reappears here from a fair absence off a workable mark although he might be better over further now.

Form: 340432-

(2)

Acker Bilk^p1³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Connor Beasley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 73| D

2/1

Ran well here on his only start over this trip trying to back up quickly from a win on the Tapeta but now 7lb higher than that day. Ran with credit back on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton last time and comes here off a break this time.

Form: 434-122

(4)

Epitaph^b⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 72| CD

7/4

Has plenty of form around here over various trips but his only win on Fibresand came over this trip. Second here last time out over this trip he bumped into one rejuvenated by first-time blinkers; may have been flattered but definite chance.

Form: 125332

(3)

The Lock Master^v¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 8-7| J: A Mullen| T: M Appleby| OR: 58| CD

14/1

Needs no introduction on Fibresand with ten wins to his name (3/18 C&D) and resumed winning ways here last time dropped in grade. Took advantage of some rivals who disappointed last time (had hard race also); vulnerable back in handicaps.

Form: 6-42971

Forecasts

Epitaph (7/4), Acker Bilk (2/1), Busy Street (9/4), The Lock Master (14/1)

Trainer Mick Appelby provides 50% of the field here with Epitaph giving him the best chance of success especially as he runs over his best trip here although he was a little flattered last time. Busy Street is another who enjoys this surface but he’s not been seen for a while and his last win is becoming a distant memory plus a longer trip could now be in order. ACKER BILK has fared well on his only previous start here and comes here given a longer break than when he last ran here with his overall form looking good enough to take this.