Black Country - The Land Of Opportunity Handicap

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 1m 59.18s

(3)

Battalion²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: D C Costello| T: J A Osborne| OR: 96

40/1

Talented performer on his day, recent form hasn't offered a lot to inspire and liable to be outfoxed by younger rivals in this field.

Form: 966-208

(4)

Twin Star²⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Joshua Bryan⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 95

14/1

Ran well in Group 3 last summer over 1m2f at the Curragh, asked some tough questions thereafter. Slightly easier proposition here but will need to be raring to go on return.

Form: 614055-

(5)

Leader's Legacy³¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 94

8/13

Recorded back-to-backs wins last season before running credible race in Royal Ascot handicap. Off since and been gelded but could still have plenty more to offer.

Form: 6/117-

(6)

Valcartier²⁸⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 90

3/1

Lightly-raced Nottingham winner, something amiss when last spotted at Newmarket in July over 1m2f on soft. Gelded since. Likely to be getting on with things up front.

Form: 8/123-

(2)

Swift Emperor¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 90| CD

10/1

Rated 4lb higher than when scoring over C&D in December, forgettable recent turf run at Ripon but not one to overlook readily now back on the AW.

Form: 2501-40

(1)

Celebration Day²⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: R Havlin| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 89

16/1

Another that likes to get on with things, capable sort returns from eight months on the sidelines. First outing on Tapeta and might find the closers too strong.

Form: 121718-

Forecasts

Leader's Legacy (8/13), Valcartier (3/1), Swift Emperor (10/1), Twin Star (14/1), Celebration Day (16/1), Battalion (40/1)

A pair of interesting Godolphin runners returning to action, the market will be key in assessing them. LEADER'S LEGACY ran well in the Britannia at Royal Ascot last summer and could be up to this on return, with his yard in fine form. Valcartier is well up to challenging off this rating, though might find prominent tactics undermined by Celebration Day. C&D winner Swift Emperor should bounce back from a poor run on turf recently.