20:45 Leicester

Wednesday 1 August 2018

All18:0518:3519:1019:4520:1520:45

Shangton Handicap

Off time: 20:45 | Winning time: 1m 44.57s

(9)

Lifeboat¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: R Winston| T: C Hills| OR: 62

15/2

Unseated his rider three starts back and has been well beaten in two runs since. Remains a maiden after eight starts and although drop in trip may help he remains best watched.

Form: 67-5U96

(5)

Dukeofwallingford²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Edward Greatrex| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 62

12/1

Six-race maiden who showed enough on his reappearance before being well below that level when down the field last twice. Dropping to an attractive mark but others preferred.

Form: 526-700

(6)

Ainne²²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: B A Curtis| T: S Kirk| OR: 59

20/1

Showed nice improvement on her third and last start of 2017 in a decent AW contest. Looked like a type who would improve again with experience and should be noted in the betting on handicap debut.

Form: 504-

(3)

Viceroy Mac^p1²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: T E Whelan| T: D Loughnane| OR: 59

7/2

Still a maiden and finished tailed off over further last time. Drop in trip a positive but hard to make a case for.

Form: 0-77567

(2)

Hic Bibi²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: M Stainton| T: D H Brown| OR: 58

50/1

Progressed nicely on her last two starts of 2017 but yet to show she has trained on. Well beaten last twice and step up in trip not certain to suit.

Form: 712-585

(1)

Compass Point³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: R Brisland| OR: 57| BF

4/1

Was well backed on handicap debut when failing to overcome a tardy start over 7f on just his fourth outing. Step back up in trip should suit and gets a drop of 2lb. Looks a leading contender.

Form: 90-45

(10)

Cascella⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: C J McGovern⁽⁵⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 57

5/2

Took a significant step forwards on just her fifth start and third for current trainer when runner-up over this trip. Gets to race off 2lb lower and likely to be involved again.

Form: 55562

(4)

Political Slot^h⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mathers| T: D Shaw| OR: 55| D

33/1

Caught the eye running on late on just her third start on turf last time but has previously shown a better level of ability on fibresand. May just find things happening too quickly early on this slight drop in trip.

Form: 291034

(7)

Chasing Diamonds³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Danny Brock| T: P J McBride| OR: 45

6/1

Makes a quick reappearance after showing big improvement on handicap debut. Has to be respected but the way she hit the line suggests that this drop in trip may not suit.

Form: 4662

Non-Runners

(8)

Misty Breese³⁶

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: P W D'Arcy J: William Carson

Forecasts

Cascella (5/2), Viceroy Mac (7/2), Compass Point (4/1), Chasing Diamonds (6/1), Lifeboat (15/2), Dukeofwallingford (12/1), Misty Breese (16/1), Ainne (20/1), Political Slot (33/1), Hic Bibi (50/1)

Ainne and Chasing Diamonds are coming off much different absences but both should be considered after showing improved ability on their last start. Compass Point missed the break when failing to land a gamble and it will be interesting to see if the money comes again with extra test of stamina likely to help. Since moving from Ireland CASCELLA showed improvement when finding just one too good last time, finishing nicely clear of the third and gets the verdict.