Tom Cribb Handicap

Off time: 19:05 | Winning time: 2m 29.93s

(1)

Mutadaffeq⁹^{(ex 6)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 81| D

2/1

Back to winning ways at Ripon (1½m) last week when showing resolution to peg back Atkinson Grimshaw, although runner-up has since disappointed. Penalty makes life tougher, but remains fairly treated on old form.

Form: 093321

(6)

Oasis Fantasy¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: S Donohoe| T: D M Simcock| OR: 85| D

3/1

Holding his form well this season without winning, and clear of the remainder when neck second of 5 to Genetics at Brighton last time. Should be thereabouts once again, for all he's creeping up the weights.

Form: 6-05232

(2)

Royal Reserve⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Hayley Turner| T: M L W Bell| OR: 83| D

3/1

Better on AW, but he produced his best ever turf effort when second of 6 to Kelly's Dino at Carlisle (1m3f) last time. Yard in fine form, and he is handicapped to play a major part if backing that effort up.

Form: 322782

(5)

Compton Mill²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: R Havlin| T: H Morrison| OR: 81| CD

4/1

Successful in this race last year, and won again at Nottingham in October. Has now slipped below his last winning mark, and hinted at a return to his best when fourth of 9 to Aasheq at Carlisle last time. Should make a bold bid.

Form: 186-644

(4)

Albizzia^b1¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 78

12/1

Proving inconsistent, and close second to Panko over C&D last month has been flanked by poor efforts. Looked indolent last time, and no surprise to see blinkers applied now.

Form: 4-13026

Non-Runners

(3)

Psychotic⁸

Weight: 8-4| Age: 5

T: D Menuisier J: N Mackay

Forecasts

Mutadaffeq (2/1), Royal Reserve (3/1), Oasis Fantasy (3/1), Compton Mill (4/1), Albizzia (12/1), Psychotic (16/1)

A chance can be given to most of these, but the most appealing is COMPTON MILL, who has slipped below his last winning mark, and is only marginally higher in the weights than when landing this race 12 months ago. Royal Reserve comes here off a career-best effort on turf and is respected, as is the reliable Oasis Fantasy.