Barton Storage Systems Fillies' Handicap (Str)

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 1m 37.94s

(3)

Affina²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 79

11/10

Won twice over 7f in novice company last year, and stepped up on reappearance effort when 6½L third of 9 to Preening in 1m handicap at Sandown last time. Bit more needed, but her mark has slipped further, and this looks easier.

Form: 4114-93

(4)

Litigation²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Spencer| T: J Tate| OR: 78| D

4/1

Southwell winner on debut and belatedly improved when runner-up at Sandown (1m1f) last month on handicap debut. May have found the run coming too soon at Goodwood next time, and remains capable of better.

Form: 12725

(2)

Melodies⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Fran Berry| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 78| BF

8/1

Promise on first two starts last year (7f, good), and probably found heavy ground against her on return to action at Nottingham in May. Better expected back on a sound surface, and still unexposed.

Form: 425-4

(1)

Boreagh Lass⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: A Mullen| T: E De Giles| OR: 76

14/1

Winner of a 6f novice at Windsor last August for Henry Candy, but that has proven to be weak form, and she looks too high in the weights, for all she looked in need of further on debut for new yard at Chepstow.

Form: 715-6

(5)

Culdrose¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 74| BF

10/3

Gradually progressive in four starts, her best effort coming when ¾L second of 7 to Choral Music on handicap debut at Leicester last time. Up 4lb for that, so more needed, but going the right way.

Form: 9432

Forecasts

Affina (11/10), Culdrose (10/3), Litigation (4/1), Melodies (8/1), Boreagh Lass (14/1)

Not an easy puzzle to solve despite the small field. MELODIES disappointed at Nottingham in May, but the ground is a legitimate excuse for that, and she had promised plenty in three runs last year. She gets a narrow vote ahead of Culdrose, who is gradually progressive, and Litigation, who probably found the run coming too soon last time after a good second at Sandown.