Sochall Smith Accountants 'Steve Evans' Memorial Handicap

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 1m 5.44s

(2)

Zumurud²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: D Tudhope| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 77

2/1

Best run to date came at Hamilton last time, not beaten far and the form looks solid. Clearly no issue with quick ground and is drawn to attack, takes a small drop in grade and looks one of the more likely sorts.

Form: 51-63

(4)

Snaffled⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D H Brown| OR: 73

11/2

Has run to a consistent level this season and wasn't beaten that far at Kempton last time despite pulling hard in the early stages. Worry would be the drop back to 5f, but may get away with it on a stiff track such as this.

Form: 121377

(1)

Palmer^b1⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 69| BF

7/1

Looked ready to win a race when second at Haydock back in early June, but two runs since then have proved most disappointing. Handicapper not offering much help, so hopes now pinned on blinkers reviving him.

Form: 648255

(6)

Danehill Desert¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 65| D

3/1

Over a year since he won and isn't progressing, in fact last three starts have all been small steps in the wrong direction and he hasn't been finishing his races off with any gusto. Needs to prove he'll dig in better when the pressure is on.

Form: 4-52546

(5)

Life For Rent³³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Rachel Richardson⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 65| D

7/2

Seems to run his better races on quick ground, so won't mind however fast the ground gets, and now 1lb lower than last winning mark after handicapper gives him a helping hand. May be happier on an easier track though.

Form: 15-3664

(3)

Your Just Desserts¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: R M Whitaker| OR: 45

66/1

Has done next to nothing in five starts to suggest he's up to the task here. Has only beaten a handful of horses and looks to have little chance.

Form: 0780-0

Forecasts

Zumurud (2/1), Danehill Desert (3/1), Life For Rent (7/2), Snaffled (11/2), Palmer (7/1), Your Just Desserts (66/1)

The pair at the top of the handicap, ZUMURUD and Snaffled, look the two to be interested in and preference is for the former. He is in good form and can take advantage of this drop in grade to score. Snaffled might appreciate a bit further than the bare minimum in terms of trip, but still looks the danger. Life For Rent may be best of the rest.