Leslie Petch Handicap

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 1m 0.09s

(6)

Viscount Loftus²²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 87| D

4/1

As a juvenile, he won 5f novice events either side of a down-the-field run in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. Struggled in handicap company on softer ground thereafter, but conditions look more suitable today for seasonal return.

Form: 10149-

(2)

Requinto Dawn^p1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 84| D

2/1

Disqualified after winning narrowly at Beverley in September (5f soft), but remains on the same mark and also ran well at Thirsk late last month. Sports first time cheek-pieces, but could perhaps ideally do with some rain (not forecast).

Form: 0D9-028

(5)

Excellently Poised³¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 82| D

4/1

Fourth and beaten just over 2½L on handicap debut in a competitive nursery at York in July (5f, good to firm), but off the track for the remainder of the campaign. Had earlier beaten Requinto Dawn on debut at Musselburgh (5f).

Form: 1604-

(1)

Global Academy^p,t1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 82| D

13/2

Slipping down the weights after a couple of modest efforts, but almost certain to be suited by this ease in grade. Yet to win on anything other than synthetics, but has a handy draw, is claimer ridden and now tongue tied.

Form: 142959

(3)

Becker²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: P Mulrennan| T: J G Given| OR: 76| D

7/2

Yet to sparkle on turf, but possible ground excuses latest (soft), and was a two-time 5f AW winner prior to that Wetherby effort. 3lb higher than when beating Kodiac Express by ½L at Chelmsford in late March.

Form: 55-3113

Non-Runners

(4)

Bobby's Charm¹⁷

Weight: 8-7| Age: 3

T: R M H Cowell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Requinto Dawn (2/1), Becker (7/2), Excellently Poised (4/1), Viscount Loftus (4/1), Global Academy (13/2), Bobby's Charm (7/1)

A tricky contest with the returning Excellently Poised arguably having the most scope to progress further in handicaps, but it's entirely plausible some of the others may well be a fraction sharper today. Bobby's Charm looked quirky at Windsor, but deserves another chance with the blinkers newly applied, yet despite the ground conditions not being totally ideal, the Richard Fahey trained REQUINTO DAWN looks the safest shout.