Loch Lomond Luxury Lodge Handicap

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 1m 39.49s

(2)

Kharbetation^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 80| D

15/8

Combination of first-time cheekpieces and reduced mark saw him back to winning ways in six-runner Ripon handicap (6f, good) last month. Up 3lb, can go well again in small field if headgear works once more.

Form: 350-471

(1)

Strong Steps¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Barry McHugh| T: J S Goldie| OR: 79| CD

15/2

Has rather lost his way, though was beaten only by a progressive rival at Hamilton on penultimate start. That was promising and remains well-handicapped despite lacklustre effort since at Carlisle.

Form: 7-06327

(3)

Brother McGonagall¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 77| D

10/11

Showed his best form when scoring at Doncaster (1m, good to firm) early last month and no problem doubling tally having gone up 4lb at Beverley since (1m½f, good). Up another 4lb here and rises in grade, but should make another bold bid.

Form: 580-011

(4)

War Department^p⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 73

14/1

Turf winner on debut at Leicester in 2015 over 6f, though hasn't added to tally in 14 starts on this surface since. Poor here last month over 7f and against since on the AW at Newcastle. Plenty to prove, despite falling mark.

Form: 606096

Forecasts

Brother McGonagall (10/11), Kharbetation (15/8), Strong Steps (15/2), War Department (14/1)

Brother McGonagall is in ripe form and comes here seeking a hat-trick. He's climbing the weight however and is up in class now. At the likely he prices he might just be worth taking on with STRONG STEPS, who shaped very well in second behind a progressive rival on his penultimate start and will surely go close now if bouncing back from a lesser effort since at Carlisle. New headgear worked for Kharbetation at Ripon and he's also worth considering with that win behind. War Department has questions to answer and looks the outsider of four.