Yolk Recruitment Handicap

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 1m 40.01s

(4)

Statuario²⁰⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 80| C

3/1

Winner on debut at this track in September, but was out of his depth next time and was seventh of eight on his final start as a juvenile at Leicester. First run in a handicap and has proved he can go well fresh.

Form: 197-

(5)

Tallow^p1¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: K Shoemark| T: W J Haggas| OR: 80

7/2

Rounded off last season with victories in maiden and novice company. Ran well for a long way on seasonal reappearance and first run in a handicap at Newbury and should strip fitter in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 511-8

(1)

Island Sound¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Georgia Cox⁽³⁾| T: H Main| OR: 77

12/1

Some promise as a juvenile and was highly-tried on final start at Doncaster. Return to action in a handicap at Newmarket saw him finish ninth of 15 and more is required off 3lb lower.

Form: 946-9

(2)

Joust¹⁸⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Fran Berry| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 74

25/1

Out of the frame in five maidens as a juvenile for Jessica Harrington. Starts out for a new stable after being gelded and market may be the best guide on his first outing in handicap company.

Form: 54088-

(3)

Marble Bar¹⁷⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: H Candy| OR: 72

11/4

Best effort in four starts as a juvenile came when runner-up on his last outing in a Nottingham nursery. Competes off the same rating and is one to consider given the likelihood of improvement following his winter break.

Form: 6582-

(6)

Unbridled Spirit¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 67

3/1

Three quiet runs as a juvenile, but step into a handicap on his return to action at Windsor saw him finish a fair third of nine on heavy going. Has been dropped 1lb, should be sharper this time and handles the ground.

Form: 750-3

Forecasts

Marble Bar (11/4), Statuario (3/1), Unbridled Spirit (3/1), Tallow (7/2), Island Sound (12/1), Joust (25/1)

Top-weight Statuario is back to a more realistic level and can go well, while Tallow should be fitter for her Newbury run and is likely to go well in first-time cheekpieces. The selection, though, is UNBRIDLED SPIRIT , who ran well on heavy ground on his first attempt in a handicap at Windsor and should have come on for the run. Marble Bar was improving when last seen and can be competitive.