Neal Wood 9th Anniversary Memorial Handicap

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 2m 40.67s

(2)

Delsheer^p1⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Louis Steward| T: H Palmer| OR: 79

12/1

Didn't need to better previous form when landing 1m novice at Windsor in October. Made a discouraging start to new season when last of 11 at Epsom in April, and off since, suggesting all wasn't well there. Cheekpieces reached for now.

Form: 831-0

(1)

Rare Groove⁵⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: P J McDonald| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 78

9/2

Ran best race to date when runner-up in a 1m novice at Thirsk (soft) on reappearance, but below form on handicap bow at Wetherby (1¼m) in May. Speedily bred, and remains to be seen whether longer trip is the answer.

Form: 432-25

(3)

Gift of Hera²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J F Egan| T: S Kirk| OR: 75| CD

9/4

Much improved when winning C&D handicap in May by wide margin, and may have found run coming too soon when third of four at Goodwood next time, Return to this venue a plus, and new mark not beyond her.

Form: 55-6213

(6)

Comrade In Arms⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: David Probert| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 72

5/2

Siblings include outstanding middle-distance filly Peeping Fawn and Group 1 winner Thewayyouare. Stepped up on previous form when second to Bajan Gold in a 1¼m handicap at Lingfield last time, and longer trip seems sure to suit. Leading claims.

Form: 592-542

(5)

Twister²⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 66

9/2

Has shown just modest form in three runs to date at up to 1m½f, but likely to progress now handicapping up in trip, and yard always respected with similar types.

Form: 088-

(4)

Dorian Gray^b⁷⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: J P Sullivan| T: H Morrison| OR: 62| BF| D

14/1

Improved for fitting of blinkers when winning back-to-back AW handicaps at up to this trip in March/April. Creditable second when last seen at Lingfield, but has an 11-week break to overcome in stronger company now.

Form: 36-9112

Forecasts

Gift of Hera (9/4), Comrade In Arms (5/2), Twister (9/2), Rare Groove (9/2), Delsheer (12/1), Dorian Gray (14/1)

He may not have lived up to a superb pedigree, but COMRADE IN ARMS improved when second at Lingfield last time, and looks like he will do even better at this trip. Twister needs to improve, but is unexposed and entitled to respect, as is Gift of Hera, who bolted up here on her penultimate start, and didn't get a chance to shine at Goodwood last time.