32Red Casino Handicap

Off time: 20:45 | Winning time: 2m 22.66s

(5)

Spanish Archer^h²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 94| BF

7/2

Comfortable winner of a small race at Nottingham and he clearly impressed the handicapper more than the winner at Newcastle last time. That rival has been slammed off a mark of 88 since, so he ought to be vulnerable here off 94.

Form: 412

(2)

Elector⁸⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 93WS

5/4

Had Spanish Archer behind when second to the useful Raa Atoll in May. Disappointed on handicap debut, but that may have come too soon after Royal Ascot. Subsequent wind surgery indicates another potential issue and the market should be informative.

Form: 1-4273

(3)

Breath Caught⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 91| BF

4/1

Has been rested following his defeat in a match two months ago. That form can be overlooked and his prior efforts give him a solid chance if getting the extra furlong.

Form: 21-1322

(4)

Autumn War²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Callum Shepherd| T: C Hills| OR: 88

13/2

Bred to appreciate this longer trip having landed slowly run races on his last two starts. The form of his latest victory has been let down by the next three home and that sets him a stiff task from a mark this high.

Form: 311

(1)

Al Kherb³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: K Shoemark| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 86

10/1

Mixed signals from his debut success but his Ripon victory suggests this mark looks right. Nevertheless, his initial handicap run was most disappointing and maybe his third outing in six weeks accounted for that.

Form: 114

Forecasts

Elector (5/4), Spanish Archer (7/2), Breath Caught (4/1), Autumn War (13/2), Al Kherb (10/1)

Despite the small numbers there are sufficient doubts about all the runners to make this one of the most difficult races on the card to solve. Spanish Archer makes little appeal at these weights but, when comparing speed figures, he has to enter calculations based on his impressive Nottingham victory. Nevertheless, he looks held by Elector who has undergone corrective surgery having underperformed last time. Autumn War beat little at Goodwood and Al Kherb failed to give his running on his handicap debut. A chance is taken on BREATH CAUGHT getting the extra furlong on his first AW start as this may be run at a false pace and he appears more tactically versatile than his opponents.