toteplacepot Handicap

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 1m 5.34s

(3)

Palmer^h¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: P J Dobbs| T: P T Midgley| OR: 72

13/8

Takes a major drop in grade (still hooded) on his second run for this yard (left Bryan Smart) having shaped as if he would be better for the run last time out. Trainer does well with this type; rare runner at the course for the yard.

Form: 23327-6

(4)

Three Little Birds¹⁹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Renato Souza| T: S Kirk| OR: 71| D

9/2

Finally off the mark in an AW novice over 5f at the end of last season having made all. Now tried in a handicap again back on turf having shown only modest form on this surface before; best with a test of speed.

Form: 376421-

(6)

Forever In Love¹⁹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 69

10/3

Stable have a good reputation with sprinters and this one has been acquired from Sir Michael Stoute. Yet to win a race or be tried over 5f she looks as though she needs a further than this and could be found wanting.

Form: 52244-

(2)

Princess Keira²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: T P Queally| T: M Quinn| OR: 67

5/1

Her form showed regressive tendencies as a juvenile but back from a winter break she may have reversed the direction of her career. Travelled better than most last time over 5f on the AW until her effort flattened out; eased 5lb in the weights.

Form: 2506-5

(5)

Crystal Deauville^p,t¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S W Kelly| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 63| D

9/1

Down in grade she ran her best race since her debut to rid herself of her maiden tag over 5f on the AW. Found life tougher back in handicaps since then and failed to settle back from a break last time at Bath.

Form: 85613-0

(1)

Hornby⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Josephine Gordon| T: M J Attwater| OR: 52

14/1

Only a modest sort and yet to win a race and having not run badly after five weeks off a couple of starts ago his latest form has been poor. Last two runs have been way below-par and others make more appeal.

Form: 056-355

Forecasts

Palmer (13/8), Forever In Love (10/3), Three Little Birds (9/2), Princess Keira (5/1), Crystal Deauville (9/1), Hornby (14/1)

This will be just the second start for PALMER since he joined Paul Midgley and he had some reasonably strong form when with Bryan Smart. His first start for the yard was in a much tougher contest and he shaped well enough with the handicapper dropping him 2lb. He’s a rare runner for this yard here and the hint should be taken. Princess Keira looked as though she might be capable of better when reversing a regressive trend on her return last time and comes into the mix along with Three Little Birds who probably needs a better surface to be seen at her best. Forever In Love has joined a yard well known for their sprinters but might need a little further based on her form so far.