Edinburgh Gin's Cannonball Handicap

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 1m 52.41s

(2)

Rita's Man³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: D Allan| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 69| BF

11/4

Started 7/4f and well beaten in a Ripon seller on his penultimate start (1m2f good), so that's rather off-putting; furthermore, the vast majority of his career wins have come over a longer trip (1m2f).

Form: 8-75145

(1)

Kirbec^p²¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P Makin| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 71

7/1

Still a maiden after eight starts and hasn't seen any racecourse action for seven months. Consistent in the main as a juvenile, regularly placed over 6f to 7f, but more to prove over this trip; trainer also saddles Rita's Man.

Form: 223637-

(4)

Ventura Gold¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 67

3/1

His sole career success came over Newcastle's demanding 7f trip (Tapeta) in March, so there's every likelihood he'll stay 1m here; runner up on his sole visit to this track as a juvenile in August 2017 (7f).

Form: 591354

(5)

Thunderhooves²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: K Stott| T: J Ryan| OR: 65

13/2

Down the field in all three starts so far (7f-1m3.5f), but whilst this is a more suitable option (handicap debut) he needs to show much more in order to strike.

Form: 80-8

(3)

Knight In Armour^b1⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 63

2/1

Tackled a variety of trips without success (0 from 6), so it's back to the drawing board in first time blinkers over a reduced trip (1m). Keen, prominent racer in a modest race so could take a step forward.

Form: 2436-45

Forecasts

Knight In Armour (2/1), Rita's Man (11/4), Ventura Gold (3/1), Thunderhooves (13/2), Kirbec (7/1)

An unappealing contest which has attracted a disappointingly small field. The blinkered Knight In Armour is a likely pace angle and he could be set for an improved showing over a more suitable trip. However, the percentage call is the 7f Newcastle winner VENTURA GOLD. He's one of two runners for the Middleham Park Syndicate (also supply Rita's Man), and a repeat of his course ¾L second to Kikini Bamalaam in August 2017 (7f) should be more than good enough here.