Racing UK In HD Handicap

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 2m 26.6s

(2)

Lucky Deal¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 86

6/4

Could well like so many from this stable develop into a decent staying handicapper despite the bare facts of his handicap debut being unimpressive. Slow pace wouldn't have helped though and remains with potential over staying trips.

Form: 31-24

(3)

I'm Improving^h1³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: P Makin| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 85

9/4

Looked a better juvenile once he was given a test of stamina and always had the look of one who would make a better older horse. Still looked very green on his return to action (needs to settle better); could come on but did look a little quirky too.

Form: 331-4

(4)

Emerald Rocket^p¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: B A Curtis| T: K R Burke| OR: 73

3/1

First-time cheekpieces appeared to help last time although he was left poorly placed overall in the race (first sign of real form this year). Still not certain to stay a trip like this though and more exposed that the other trio; more needed.

Form: 116-575

(1)

Sempre Presto¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 69

11/2

Made her handicap debut on her seasonal return and gained her first victory under a change of tactics (made all). Seen to maximum effect but given her pedigree she'll be suited by this trip and looked to have more to come after a small rise.

Form: 448-1

Forecasts

Lucky Deal (6/4), I'm Improving (9/4), Emerald Rocket (3/1), Sempre Presto (11/2)

Four leading Northern trainers go head-to-head here and it should prove to be an interesting contest with three of the four runners looking to have more to offer. Lucky Deal wasn’t seen to best effect last time and he’s probably far better than that and has the improvement in him to progress beyond this mark. However he might not get the pace to run at again here and SEMPRE PRESTO could well get the run of the race and steal this from the front. I’m Improving is well named but he has his quirks and his stable are a little quiet at the moment while Emerald Rocket has to prove himself at this trip.