Thatcham Butchers Handicap

Off time: 19:15 | Winning time: 2m 31.39s

(1)

Celestial Force⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: P J McDonald| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 88| D

9/4

2-2 so far despite looking as though he still needed some experience; displayed a very good attitude under a positive ride last time over 1m4f. Now goes handicapping for the first time (has an Irish St Leger entry) and looks to have more to offer.

Form: 11

(3)

Sleeping Lion²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: T P Queally| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 83

7/2

Yet to run in a handicap but comes here on the back of an improved effort in an AW novice over 1m3f (landed a gamble). Looked to have a little more know-how than the runner-up on that occasion and has more to offer in events like this.

Form: 4-71

(2)

King Lud²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 82

9/4

Consistent sort who possibly lacks the improvement of some of his rivals but did well to hold onto second last time after being positively ridden. May well have bumped into a useful sort there and should win races in this sphere off this sort of mark

Form: 4232

(5)

Cacophonous²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Fran Berry| T: D Menuisier| OR: 80| BF

9/2

Given a try over this trip on the last of his qualifying runs and looked as though he stayed it well enough still looking a little green. Was behind King Lud last time but has the ability to win a handicap; some easier ground may help his cause.

Form: 434

(4)

Soto Sizzler²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: L Morris| T: W J Knight| OR: 79

11/1

Certainly learning through his three qualifying runs although he may have offered a little bit too much last time with his mark suffering. Run down late by the favourite at Goodwood he'll be competitive in handicaps but this is a tough start.

Form: 052

Forecasts

King Lud (9/4), Celestial Force (9/4), Sleeping Lion (7/2), Cacophonous (9/2), Soto Sizzler (11/1)

The whole quintet are making their handicaps debuts in what promises to be an informative and fascinating contest. CELESTIAL FORCE is the most inexperienced in the field but his debut victory at Newcastle was full of promise and he backed up that run under a penalty last time and his mark of 88 certainly looks workable. Sleeping Lion is the other last time out winner in the field and he will have improvement in him while King Lud and Cacophonous have met before with the former holding sway over the latter; those placings could be reversed here though. Soto Sizzler completes the field and although his form looks the weakest he can’t be ruled out in a tight heat.