16:55 Salisbury

Thursday 17 May 2018

All14:1014:4015:1515:5016:2516:5517:2518:00

Smith & Williamson Handicap

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 2m 37.04s

(12)

Saint Helena^b¹²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-7| J: Jordan Uys⁽⁷⁾| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 55| D

40/1

Experienced campaigner who has been well held on recent starts. Remains high enough in the weights and is readily opposed.

Form: 62597-7

(6)

Bird For Life^p²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Dane O'Neill| T: M D I Usher| OR: 55| D

9/2

Progressive performer on the AW weather and returns to the Flat, for which she is 0-2. In good heart, consistent and worthy of consideration.

Form: 363212

(5)

Tapdancealltheway^b1,h1¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 55

11/1

Has hit the frame only once in eight starts over a variety of distances. Down to a career-low mark and is fitted with blinkers for the first time.

Form: 9370-00

(14)

The Secrets Out²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: L A Dace| OR: 54

9/2

Well beaten in two starts this season after returning from a lengthy absence. Handicapper has been slow to react so he seem to have plenty to prove.

Form: 2424-58

(1)

The Juggler¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: W J Knight| OR: 54

10/1

Just one win in 23 starts and has shown only fair form in three outings this season. He is 2lb lower than when beaten 18L on latest run over 1m6f at Goodwood.

Form: 128-369

(7)

Ablaze¹⁹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Edward Greatrex| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 54| D

20/1

Only success came in a Lingfield seller last July and has generally been well held in handicap company in subsequent outings. Still high enough in the weights.

Form: 125309-

(2)

Sanches⁷¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Dr J R J Naylor| OR: 53| D

7/1

Lingfield winner over this distance in December and ran well off 2lb higher at Kempton last time. First run on turf off a viable mark, so one to consider.

Form: 961-402

(13)

Garcon De Soleil¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Rob Hornby| T: M Blanshard| OR: 53| C

12/1

Off the mark at the 17th attempt when making all on heavy ground over 1m6f at this track at the end of last month. Different conditions, 7lb rise and shorter trip pose questions, but at least he is in form.

Form: 9-96371

(11)

Hallingham⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: H Crouch| T: K O Cunningham-Brown| OR: 52| D

13/2

Experienced campaigner who has a disappointing strike rate of 3-47. Beaten a long way despite finishing second at Lingfield last time and has work to do off 1lb lower.

Form: 350-752

(3)

Magic Beans²²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Charlie Bennett⁽³⁾| T: H Morrison| OR: 52

7/1

Maiden after 10 attempts over several distances. Hard to fancy on seasonal reappearance, although handicap mark is on the way down.

Form: 440487-

(9)

Mr Lando^p,t⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: Tim Clark⁽³⁾| T: J Farrelly| OR: 50| D

20/1

Four-times winner on the Flat and over hurdles, most recently over jumps at Plumpton in March. In reasonable heart for this return to the level. Sports cheekpieces for the first time.

Form: 133/56-0

(8)

Howardian Hills^t¹²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Liam Keniry| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 49| BF| D

16/1

Only win in 16 races came in a Wolverhampton claimer last July. Runs off a lower mark on turf, but his five efforts on grass were not up to his AW displays.

Form: 29758-6

Non-Runners

(4)

Melabi¹⁷

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: Mrs Stella Barclay J: David Egan

(10)

Bergholt⁹⁰

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: Tim Vaughan J: David Probert

Forecasts

The Secrets Out (9/2), Bird For Life (9/2), Hallingham (13/2), Magic Beans (7/1), Sanches (7/1), The Juggler (10/1), Tapdancealltheway (11/1), Garcon De Soleil (12/1), Bergholt (12/1), Howardian Hills (16/1), Ablaze (20/1), Mr Lando (20/1), Melabi (25/1), Saint Helena (40/1)

Sanches ran well enough at Kempton to suggest he can make his presence felt, while Mr Lando is not without hope after a recent win over jumps at Plumpton. The selection, though, is GARCON DE SOLEIL, who won at this track on heavy ground last time and can defy a 7lb weight rise. Bird For Life is in good heart and is considered, along with Bergholt, who was well backed last time only to fluff the start.