16:20 Leicester

Tuesday 29 May 2018

All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50

Oadby Handicap

Off time: 16:24 | Winning time: 2m 7.09s

(1)

Nibras Galaxy²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: George Wood⁽³⁾| T: I Mohammed| OR: 76| D

7/1

Drop back to this trip paid dividends with game success at Redcar earlier this month, holding on gamely at the line. Carries an extra 6lb for that success.

Form: 673-621

(6)

Tiffin Top¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: N Mackay| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 75

6/1

Some promise in maidens last year, well enough held over this trip in good-ground Nottingham novice contest on return to action this month, entitled to strip fitter for that outing and get involved.

Form: 47-6

(9)

Immortal Romance³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Spencer| T: M L W Bell| OR: 75| D

16/1

Marked step up in distance did the trick at Yarmouth (1m2f, good to firm) last month when coming with strong late run to open his account. Raised 7lb for that score, should be more to come from him.

Form: 3753-61

(13)

Ghazan²²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 75

8/1

Improved in trio of maidens last year, doing best over an extended-mile at Nottingham (good to soft) in October when beaten 1½L into third. Up in trip for handicap debut on seasonal return, worth checking in the betting.

Form: 753-

(4)

I'm A Star³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: S C Williams| OR: 74

12/1

No joy when attempting to make all on Doncaster handicap bow over this trip in April, eventually getting collared and finishing 4½L fourth off 11. Eased a pound, can compete again.

Form: 528-4

(2)

Emerald Rocket^p1¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: B A Curtis| T: K R Burke| OR: 73

20/1

Back-to-back wins in Newcastle nurseries in October, but is 0-7 on turf. Well held over this trip at Nottingham recently and has something to find off 1lb lower.

Form: 0116-57

(15)

Gamesters Icon³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 73

20/1

Filly returned with a really solid effort on second handicap start at Haydock (1m, soft) when just edged out. Up in trip from 1lb higher, has plenty scope for more to come.

Form: 58224-2

(3)

Sweet Charity²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Fran Berry| T: D J Coakley| OR: 72

7/1

Filly has shown a generous amount of potential in three AW maidens over a mile so far, being a shade unlucky not to open her account. Up in trip for handicap debut and is race-fit.

Form: 33-2

(16)

Robinson Crusoe¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Hannon| OR: 72

10/1

Ran well here over 7f on handicap bow last backend and staying on nicely into third on reappearance at Nottingham (1m½f, good to firm) this month on reappearance. Looks to be suited going up in trip.

Form: 5665-3

(8)

Optimum Time¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 72

9/1

Has perhaps shaped better than bare results in two starts this term at Epsom and Nottingham (over this trip). Not doing himself any great favours with slow starts and might be interesting if getting prominent spot.

Form: 1090-79

(14)

Surrey Blaze⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J Tuite| OR: 72| BF| D

33/1

Taken to handicaps on the AW in fine style in his first three and climbing 21lb in the ratings along the way. Finally held at Wolverhampton in March (1m1½f) off this mark. Interesting to see what he can do back on turf.

Form: 00-1116

(11)

The Throstles²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: K Frost| OR: 71

25/1

Novice winner on the AW over 7f at Wolverhampton last year, faded having set the pace on reappearance at Goodwood on first attempt at this trip. Too early to question stamina, fitter now.

Form: 43186-0

(12)

Phoenician Star^p1¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: B J Meehan| OR: 71

11/2

€60,000 son of Mastercraftsman and half-brother to Traffic Jam, a good stayer in France. Needs to improve for switch to handicaps in new cheekpieces after three uninspiring runs so far.

Form: 0-50

(5)

Ashington^p1²⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: L M Cumani| OR: 69

16/1

Has shown some promise in maiden/nursery company as a juvenile, booking at Atzeni a positive as yard looks to pick things up. Cheekpieces added.

Form: 56376-

(10)

General Zoff²⁷⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: M Dwyer| T: W R Muir| OR: 67

66/1

Just the one strong effort from five in juvenile campaign, coming on good to firm over 7f at Salisbury. Returns and goes beyond a mile for the first time. Big step up needed.

Form: 06379-

(7)

Delph Crescent^p1¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 65

33/1

Twice struggled since returning this season in handicaps, latest over this trip at Beverley on good to firm. Cheekpieces go on and plenty to work on.

Form: 364-00

Forecasts

Phoenician Star (11/2), Tiffin Top (6/1), Sweet Charity (7/1), Nibras Galaxy (7/1), Ghazan (8/1), Optimum Time (9/1), Robinson Crusoe (10/1), I'm A Star (12/1), Ashington (16/1), Immortal Romance (16/1), Emerald Rocket (20/1), Gamesters Icon (20/1), The Throstles (25/1), Delph Crescent (33/1), Surrey Blaze (33/1), General Zoff (66/1)

Nibras Galaxy commands respect after a pleasing Redcar win recently while it will be interesting to see if Surrey Blaze is able to transfer across improved form on the AW circuit to this sphere. ROBINSON CRUESOE caught the eye at Nottingham this month with a staying on third and just may have something more to offer now tackling this longer trip. Immortal Romance and Sweet Charity are also on the shortlist.