toteexacta Pick The 1st And 2nd Handicap

Off time: 18:40 | Winning time: 2m 7.20s

(6)

Dream Point^h⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 71| BF

10/3

Nicely-bred filly who has shown a fair level of ability in two maidens at Dundalk and one at Lingfield. Makes handicap debut off a feasible mark and firmly enters calculations.

Form: 7-34

(2)

Rustang¹⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Spencer| T: R Hughes| OR: 71| CD

6/4

Proved his stamina when winning a nursery over C&D as a juvenile and ran well again at this venue next time off 6lb higher. Up another 2lb for seasonal debut and is a little more exposed than some of his rivals.

Form: 804412-

(4)

Finisher²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 68

6/1

Three uneventful runs in maiden/novice company, the latest when fourth over this distance at Newcastle after making much of the running. Handicap debut for a stable in good form.

Form: 8-64

(3)

Cross Swords²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: J Tate| OR: 68

7/1

Not without promise in three novice events since the turn of the year. Another making his handicap debut and one to note in the betting.

Form: 644

(5)

Knight In Armour¹⁷⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 67

4/1

Promise in maiden/novice company as a juvenile before a couple of ordinary efforts in nurseries. Type to do better as a three-year-old and certainly too soon to be writing off.

Form: 42436-

Non-Runners

(1)

Verstappen²

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: M Botti J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Rustang (6/4), Dream Point (10/3), Knight In Armour (4/1), Finisher (6/1), Verstappen (6/1), Cross Swords (7/1)

Cases can be made for all six runners, although Rustang, Verstappen and Knight In Armour have already shown their hands to some degree in handicap company. Top-weight Dream Point is interesting for his upwardly-mobile Irish trainer and the best has yet to be seen of Cross Swords, but the vote goes to FINISHER, who has a good dirt pedigree and looks the type to prosper now he is handicapping.