JGR Handicap

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 2m 32.84s

(4)

First Nation²⁸⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 101| D

10/3

Off the track since winning the Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket in October 2017 (1m4f, good), and a further 8lb higher in the weights now. With previous C&D form with Atty Perse (June 2017), it'll take a clear career best effort to prevail.

Form: 224521-

(3)

Atty Persse^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: James Doyle| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 100| CD

3/1

Lost his way in Group company after beating First Nation (receiving 3lb) by 3L in the King George V Stakes Handicap over C&D (good to firm) in June 2017; encouraging third on his return in the Old Newton Cup (1m4f, Haydock).

Form: 12196-3

(5)

Banditry^v⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: R L Moore| T: Ian Williams| OR: 98

7/1

A talented horse whatever the task (turf, AW, hurdling), and found only the 3/1f Thundering Blue too good when runner-up at York in May (Class 2 handicap); not so good at Epsom latest, but with soft ground being a possible excuse.

Form: 212-420

(6)

Kelly's Dino^p²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: K R Burke| OR: 90

9/1

Reliable 5yo; progressed markedly since returning from over two years off the track; 6lb higher than when winning at Carlisle in June (1m3f+), but beaten just a neck in a Deauville Conditions Stakes (1m4f+) since; quick ground a slight doubt.

Form: 227182

(2)

Austrian School⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 94| D

6/4

Progressive sort (4 from 10) who recorded a hat-trick of early season wins at Pontefract (1m2f), Chelmsford (1m6f) and Chester (1m4.5f); runner-up, but no match for ready winner Raymond Tusk in the Listed Glasgow Stakes (Hamilton) last week.

Form: 114422

Non-Runners

(1)

Great Hall²⁷

Weight: 9-13| Age: 8

T: M Quinn J: Fran Berry

Forecasts

Austrian School (6/4), Atty Persse (3/1), First Nation (10/3), Banditry (7/1), Kelly's Dino (9/1), Great Hall (25/1)

ATTY PERSSE has the measure of First Nation on C&D form from June 2017, and also the advantage of race-fitness over his old rival with the Charlie Appleby-trained runner having been off the track since winning the Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket last October. The selection posted his best effort since that C&D contest on his seasonal return when finishing 3L third to Rainbow Rebel in Haydock's Old Newton Cup (1m4f) earlier this month, and with further natural progression anticipated is strongly fancied to get back to winning ways.