Alan McGuiness And Robin Lunness Memorial Handicap

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 1m 36.91s

(4)

Alfa McGuire¹⁸⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 88| CD

2/1

Won a couple of minor C&D events last year on both occasions winning by a good margin. Not disgraced in a valuable sales race at Doncaster after that (trip looked sharp) and goes handicapping now off a decent mark on a course he handles well.

Form: 513170-

(3)

Exhort²⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 82| D

5/2

Ran well on all her four starts last year showing plenty of promise on her debut before winning her next two races at up to a mile. Better than her final position when last seen (poorly placed; action happened away from her); has more to come.

Form: 2116-

(1)

Faithful Promise²³³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 79| BF

11/1

Scored twice last year showing useful form both times the second win coming on handicap debut off a mark of 75. Did run well once after that but her final two starts were rather disappointing and she starts out with a little to prove this season.

Form: 041206-

(2)

Shazzab¹⁹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 79

8/1

Added to her maiden success when taking a Pontefract nursery over a mile in very testing conditions. Failed to equal that form upped in grade when last seen and now returns from her winter break facing a task to overcome this sort of mark.

Form: 146317-

(6)

Mont Kinabalu²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 79| D

7/2

Had started to look exposed when he got off the mark at York over 7f in October (responded well to pressure). Made his AW debut on his reappearance (had to concede a penalty) and looked below his best.

Form: 42317-3

(5)

Placebo Effect²¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: A Mullen| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 71| BF| D

8/1

His wins in selling company wouldn't be good enough to win this but he did show some better form after that specifically when winning at Musselburgh (nursery). Finished the year in solid fashion and has to be respected off a low weight here.

Form: 113133-

Forecasts

Alfa McGuire (2/1), Exhort (5/2), Mont Kinabalu (7/2), Placebo Effect (8/1), Shazzab (8/1), Faithful Promise (11/1)

A race that could be well worth noting and with Richard Fahey having won it for the past two years his Exhort is given a leading chance especially as she looked far from the finished article last year. Placebo Effect has the look of one who can improve some more yet but dual C&D winner ALFA MCGUIRE is given the vote to make a winning comeback having looked a progressive sort last year.