British EBF Conditions Stakes

Off time: 19:31 | Winning time: 1m 0.84s

(4)

Take Cover²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: T Eaves| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 111| CD

9/2

Smart performer (good as ever in 2017) winner of four races over 5f at Listed/Group 3 level (completed a hat-trick last three races of 2017). Showed that all his speed/zest was intact on his return in Group 2 at Haydock; as good as ever aged 11.

Form: 40111-7

(2)

El Astronaute¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: P Cosgrave| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 101| BF| D

2/1

Smart handicapper who takes his chance at this level for the first time having run consistently well this season. His win 98 at York in May amongst his best runs; unable to get to the front at Musselburgh last time but lost nothing in defeat.

Form: 5-23123

(1)

Judicial^h¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: G Lee| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 107| CD

10/11

Odds-on when taking this last year (beat two rivals) this will be more of a test this time. Ran well on his return at Newmarket (better than finishing position) and had no luck in-running last time at Haydock; strong pace will suit and respected.

Form: 1426-28

(5)

Line Of Reason¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: P T Midgley| OR: 88| CD

14/1

Winner of this two years ago (2/1f) that remains his only C&D win from 8 attempts (rated 106 at the time).Slipped in the weights since then he hinted at a revival when midfield n a tough York handicap. Draw and tactics against him last time.

Form: 8-00770

(3)

Robot Boy⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 90| D

25/1

Useful handicapper although his losing run is starting to mount; last win came on AW (Tapeta). Not quite hit the same heights since with the handicapper giving him a chance but he'll need to find more here to trouble the principals.

Form: 702-574

Forecasts

Judicial (10/11), El Astronaute (2/1), Take Cover (9/2), Line Of Reason (14/1), Robot Boy (25/1)

A cracking contest and it won’t lack any pace given the fact that both Take Cover and El Astronaute love to go from the front. The former (now aged 11) didn’t look to have lost any of his zip when returning at Haydock despite eventually finishing well held (behind Battash) he does have to give weight away to the entire field though. The latter of the pace duo has been in top-class form in good handicaps this year going from the front and proving hard to catch. JUDICIAL will find this a tougher test this year but deserves to win this with his two runs this year not totally doing him justice. Line Of Reason (2016 winner) faces a stiffer task this time around given the weights/official ratings.