Lexus Croydon Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:55 | Winning time: 1m 45.58s

(4)

Gerry The Glover^h1²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Thomas Greatrex⁽⁵⁾| T: L Carter| OR: 70

7/2

Hasn't won for over three years now and recent efforts have not suggested that is going to change anytime soon. Well beaten at kempton (1m, AW) last month. Dropping in weights and hood goes on but leap of faith needed to back at present.

Form: 4334-09

(1)

Ban Shoof^b¹⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Rhys Clutterbuck⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 67

11/2

Was in decent form on the AW earlier in the year. Returns here on the back of a five month break and this drop in trip poses a question as his sole turf win came over 1m4f.

Form: 4291-32

(2)

Duke Of North¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Isobel Francis⁽⁷⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 65| CD

6/4

Given a really clever ride when coming good here over C&D two weeks ago. Best efforts seem to come with give in the ground but handled the quick ground no problems that day and only nudged up 3lb so has every chance of going well again.

Form: 608-201

(6)

Shifting Star^p,t⁵¹

Age: 13| Weight: 9-0| J: Paddy Bradley⁽³⁾| T: J J Bridger| OR: 58

4/1

Front runner who made all to win at Brighton two starts back but couldn't follow up in a more competitive race last time. Only 2lb higher than for that win and this similar track will play to his strengths if handed a soft lead here.

Form: 000516

(5)

Muthraab Aldaar^b1¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J R Boyle| OR: 46| D

7/1

Comfortably held by Shifting Star on their meeting at Brighton in May and hasn't fared much better since. Blinkers go on for the first time today and interesting to see what the market makes of his chances compared to stablemate from out the weights

Form: 330208

Non-Runners

(3)

Dose⁵⁷

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: R A Fahey J: Sebastian Woods

Forecasts

Duke Of North (6/4), Gerry The Glover (7/2), Shifting Star (4/1), Dose (4/1), Ban Shoof (11/2), Muthraab Aldaar (7/1)

A couple of the more obvious ones in this are racing over a trip which is short of their best. Shifting Star will be dangerous if he's left alone on the front end. Duke Of North won well here last time and is only 3lb higher so makes obvious appeal. Although this trip is short of her optimum, DOSE has sounds claims of recording another victory today and is the selection.