Betway Sprint Handicap

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 57.6s

(6)

Encore d'Or²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Jonathan Fisher⁽⁷⁾| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 108| CD

7/2

Listed level winner who is by far the classiest performer in this field but has to carry a big weight as a result. Is 3-6 at this course so goes well here, and his trainer is claiming 7lb off him using an apprentice rider; the one to beat.

Form: 19-0021

(4)

Tomily²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Hannon| OR: 99| C| D

7/2

Ran a career-best when third in a Listed race over C&D last time. That may not have been the strongest contest of its type and he's up 3lb from his last run in a handicap, but he should still go very well.

Form: 802-433

(2)

A Momentofmadness^h¹⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: W Buick| T: C Hills| OR: 95| C| D

2/1

3-4 (all Polytrack) record on the AW is obviously encouraging, and he ran well in a number of big sprint handicaps last season. Has his first run here since October but goes well fresh and needs considering.

Form: 332465-

(5)

George Dryden²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Joshua Bryan⁽⁵⁾| T: C Wallis| OR: 92| CD

11/2

Not beaten far by Encore d'Or last time and better off at weights here, so has to be considered here even if his profile in general doesn't look up to winning these quality contests.

Form: 09-6213

(1)

Ascot Day³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: M Dwyer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 85| CD

10/1

Only win in a handicap came in a Newcastle Class 4 affair last year. Some way off this quality of race given recent performances in weaker races.

Form: 61-9475

(3)

Captain Lars^b¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 8-13| J: Edward Greatrex| T: A Watson| OR: 84| C| D

9/1

Completed a hat-trick in a Southwell seller lat time out, but this is obviously much tougher than any of those three races and a big step up is needed.

Form: 617111

Forecasts

A Momentofmadness (2/1), Tomily (7/2), Encore d'Or (7/2), George Dryden (11/2), Captain Lars (9/1), Ascot Day (10/1)

George Dryden ran well behind ENCORE D'OR last time and needs careful consideration at the weights, but ultimately the second-named runner is the class act in this race and may well be able to win again here even off a big weight. He has a 50% strike-rate at the course and won here last time in a race where he may have been better value than the winning distance of a neck. Tomily was placed in a Listed race here last time and completes the shortlist.