16:40 Bath

Friday 20 April 2018

All16:4017:1017:4518:1518:4519:1519:45

Courage Directors Handicap

Off time: 16:42 | Winning time: 1m 10.69s

(9)

Joegogo²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Rossa Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 86| D

20/1

Yet to score on turf in seven attempts, but is a four-time AW winner (5f to 6f). High in the weights at present and well beaten on heavy ground over C&D on Good Friday.

Form: 241425

(11)

Validator²¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Georgia Cox⁽³⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 83| BF

8/1

Ended last season on an upward curve a runner up over 6f at Salisbury (soft). Drying ground mightn't necessarily play to her strengths on seasonal reappearance.

Form: 312202-

(7)

Kion²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: D C Costello| T: J A Osborne| OR: 82| BF| D

12/1

Versatile sort who has largely done well on the AW since joining this trainer for 35,000 gns in October 2017 (dual 6f scorer). Not so strong latest on Fibresand, but has previous respectable turf form in Ireland.

Form: 62-1213

(10)

Get Even³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Josephine Gordon| T: J Hughes| OR: 80| BF

50/1

Weakened close home when a beaten favourite on seasonal reappearance at Wolverhampton last month (6f). Not operating at the same level as her earlier juvenile efforts at present, but this shorter trip is a plus.

Form: 83570-4

(12)

Alkhalifa¹⁸⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Dane O'Neill| T: B J Meehan| OR: 79| D

9/1

Beaten just over 5L (fourth) in first time cheek-pieces at York in October (6f) and dropped 2lb in the weights since. Not entirely convincing late in his races when push comes to shove.

Form: 31374-

(1)

Bungee Jump¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Cameron Noble⁽⁵⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 78| D

25/1

Made all, and never in danger of being reeled in when taking a 7f Lingfield claimer for Kevin Ryan last month. Claimed for £10,000 and has run well in handicap company since. Drop in trip looks likely to suit.

Form: 122512

(5)

Big Brave Bob²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 78| D

13/2

Off the mark at the first time of asking switched to the AW at Southwell (gelded) last month, beating Walk On Water by a short-head (Kion third). Interesting to see if he can translate that improvement back to turf.

Form: 25-1

(2)

Diamond Dougal¹⁷⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Charles Bishop| T: M R Channon| OR: 77| D

8/1

A two-time winner from ten career starts (6f good and 5f heavy). Sits 7lb above his last winning mark at Haydock in September, and that might just prove his undoing on seasonal return.

Form: 124145-

(8)

Vegas Boy¹⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S M Levey| T: J A Osborne| OR: 77| D

16/1

Won twice in quick succession over 6f at Chelmsford in late 2017, rising steadily in the weights as a result (19lb). Off since late November, so will need to return in tip-top shape from a joint career high mark.

Form: 362113-

(13)

Gangland^h¹⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 75| BF| D

15/2

Ended his two-year-old campaign with improved performances, including a soft ground third at Doncaster in November. Up a further 2lb, with 6f seemingly his optimum trip.

Form: 540213-

(3)

Ragstone View²¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: William Carson| T: B R Millman| OR: 72

16/1

Winner of a weak turf race at Lingfield (5f soft) in July 2017. Held on both subsequent starts for Richard Hughes, and moved on for 11,000 gns at the Newmarket sales in October.

Form: 543155-

(6)

Beyond Equal¹⁹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Rob Hornby| T: W S Kittow| OR: 68

10/1

Started 33/1 but headed close home on his second start at Chepstow in September 2017 (7f soft). His subsequent effort at Salisbury is perhaps best ignored (lit up after stumbling leaving the stalls). Not fully exposed.

Form: 826-

(4)

Maygold^h²⁰⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: S De Sousa| T: E Walker| OR: 67

7/2

Up just 3lb for winning at Lingfield last time (AW debut) and has progressed through her last few runs in the style of a horse who should still be improving. May be able to defy this new mark at a track she handles.

Form: 73421-

Forecasts

Maygold (7/2), Big Brave Bob (13/2), Gangland (15/2), Diamond Dougal (8/1), Validator (8/1), Alkhalifa (9/1), Beyond Equal (10/1), Kion (12/1), Vegas Boy (16/1), Ragstone View (16/1), Joegogo (20/1), Bungee Jump (25/1), Get Even (50/1)

A tough all sprint card is likely to commence on ever drying ground given the positive weather forecast. Gangland is an obvious candidate for Malton handler Richard Fahey given his quick progression at the back-end of last season, whilst the front-running Bungee Jump (upped in grade) should lead them a merry dance early doors. Big Brave Bob downed the hot favourite Kion when making a winning AW debut at Southwell, and has claims assuming that he can translate that form back to turf, but we'll stick with the Ed Walker trained filly MAYGOLD. She finished runner up at this track in September 2017, before breaking the maiden tag just nine days later at Lingfield Park.