13:25 Windsor

Monday 8 October 2018

All13:2513:5514:2515:0015:3016:0016:3517:05

Ancaster Nissan Nursery

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 1m 46.17s

(6)

Aspire Tower²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 79

3/1

Promising efforts the last twice with seconds at Goodwood (good to soft) and Ffos Las (soft) both over 1m. Plenty of weight for handicap debut but clearly handles conditions and yard won this race last two years so positives aplenty.

Form: 622

(8)

Majestic Mac¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-6| J: Charlie Bennett| T: H Morrison| OR: 78

10/1

Most impressive winner of handicap debut at Epsom (7f) but paid the price as the handicapper raised him 10lb and he then struggled at Newbury. Gets 2lb back now so slightly easier task and certainly handles ease underfoot.

Form: 94614

(5)

Dark Thunder^p⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 77

10/3

Now a maiden of eight starts but placed five times including in two of three handicap starts. Decent second albeit comfortably beaten latest over 1m at Ripon on good ground. Soft ground penultimately at Chester didn't suit so needs drying ground.

Form: 532062

(3)

John Betjeman^p²⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽⁷⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 76

5/1

Second on heavy ground on debut way back in March over 5f. Made the frame in all three starts since a break and a little unlucky latest when a 1L second over 7f at Salisbury in first handicap try. Ground no problem and only 1lb higher.

Form: 236322

(1)

Divine Gift²⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 74

11/2

Gradual improvement in his three starts to date. Upped to 1m at Carlisle latest where he also had heavy ground to handle he acquitted himself well, finishing a 2L third of seven. Going the right way as he enters handicaps.

Form: 533

(4)

War Eagle¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 74

6/1

Possibly did too much too soon latest over 1m2f at Kempton (AW). Promising second the start before over 1m½f albeit beaten 5L. Easy to think best days are ahead as he enters handicap and yard at 26 per cent with two-year-olds.

Form: 527

(2)

Max Guevara²

Age: 2| Weight: 8-6| J: David Egan| T: W R Muir| OR: 64| D

15/2

Ten starts to date yielded one success, that at Ffos Las penultimately over 1m in a very ordinary looking contest. Only raised 3lb but still struggled next at Wolverhampton over 1m½f and this again looks a tall order.

Form: 684614

Non-Runners

(7)

Gallic³¹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 2

T: E Walker J: G Mosse

Forecasts

Aspire Tower (3/1), Dark Thunder (10/3), Gallic (4/1), John Betjeman (5/1), Divine Gift (11/2), War Eagle (6/1), Max Guevara (15/2), Majestic Mac (10/1)

A trappy little nursery this but it may pay to chance MAJESTIC MAC. Hughie Morrison's colt won stylishly at Epsom penultimately before facing a strong field off 10lb higher and struggling next. He gets 2lb back today and this looks easier overall so he must have a chance and his ground versatility is a plus. Dark Thunder has strong form overall and may well have got the nod if fast conditions were assured but Saturday's downpours are a little concerning with his Chester run on soft slightly below par. Aspire Tower will appreciate soft conditions and represents a yard who do well in this race.