Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 1m 3.08s

(4)

Red Alert¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Poppy Bridgwater⁽⁷⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 77

9/2

Didn't show much at Windsor last time but had previously run creditably at both Bath and Newmarket this season. Feasiby handicapped on his best form and decent apprentice claims valuable 7lb.

Form: 663820

(2)

King Crimson^t⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: A Kirby| T: J Butler| OR: 76| CD

7/2

Not out of the first two in his last five starts, including wins at Bath in May and last time at Leicester in June. Returns from a mid-summer break off 4lb higher mark but did win here over C&D in June 2016 off 4lb higher still.

Form: 421221

(5)

Wiley Post^b²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Watson⁽³⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 76| D

13/8

Done most of his racing at Windsor last two seasons and won there in April before being placed on both subsequent starts at the Thameside track this summer. Top apprentice claims 3lb and interesting to see how this gelding handles this unique track.

Form: 233-123

(1)

Big Lachie²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: K T O'Neill| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 74| BF| D

5/1

Won at Bath in June off 10lb lower mark and has gone close in each of his last three outings. May be in the handicapper's grip now and more is needed.

Form: 741222

(3)

Entertaining Ben^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Oisin Murphy| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 63| D

11/2

Failed by just a head at Yarmouth last time and presence of top jockey very much catches the eye. Han't run well here though on previous visits so on balance others are preferred.

Form: 034462

Non-Runners

(6)

Essaka¹

Weight: 8-6| Age: 6

T: A W Carroll J: David Egan

Forecasts

Wiley Post (13/8), Essaka (11/4), King Crimson (7/2), Red Alert (9/2), Big Lachie (5/1), Entertaining Ben (11/2)

Previous course and distance winner KING CRIMSON gets a narrow vote in a tight-knit sprint handicap having been in fine form of late. He is still fairly wieghted on the pick of his past efforts. Depending on how Essaka fairs at Chepstow on Wednesday he would be a contender here having been in great heart of late, but two runs in 24 hours isn't ideal. Big Lachie is respected but has gone up in the weights, but Wiley Post - one of three Tony Carroll runners in this six-runner field - would have a proper chance if he handles this unique track on this first visit. Entertaining Ben can't be ruled out of the equation either after going close last time out.