Betway Casino Apprentice Selling Stakes

Off time: 11:35 | Winning time: 2m 31.50s

(4)

Contingency Fee^p,h¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Grace McEntee⁽¹⁰⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 57

16/1

Only win so far came in a selling handicap at Brighton (last run for Brian Meehan); 0-10 for his current yard and beaten in an AW (Tapeta) seller last time. Badly in at the weights here; can take a strong hold and is a weak finisher.

Form: 348092

(1)

Dutch Uncle^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Megan Nicholls| T: O Murphy| OR: 80

7/4

Well below form on his first run for this yard in an AW (Tapeta) handicap (0-85) last time over 3f shorter trip. Takes a big drop in grade here but isn't certain to stay this trip; isn't the easiest to deal with despite being well in at the weights.

Form: 422367

(3)

Whinging Willie^v²³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: Rhys Clutterbuck⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 70| CD

4/6

C&D winner who is perfectly at home over this trip; shaped well in a 0-70 handicap last time over this distance. Stays further than this so won't want this to turn into a crawl; has a little to do at the weights but is reliable.

Form: 274452

(2)

Don't Cry About It^b1,t¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Thomas Greatrex| T: A Stronge| OR: 58

14/1

Now tried in a new headgear combination (blinkers on for the first-time) but faces a stiff task even dropping to this level (has been tried over hurdles). Not tried over this far on the Flat before (should stay) but faces a stiff task.

Form: 722867

(5)

London Grammar³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽³⁾| T: R J Smith| OR: 45

66/1

Only a modest sort on the Flat and not seen in this sphere since October when finishing a unassuming 4th at Brighton over this trip. Has a mountain to climb if the official ratings are taken at face value.

Form: 590-864

Forecasts

Whinging Willie (4/6), Dutch Uncle (7/4), Don't Cry About It (14/1), Contingency Fee (16/1), London Grammar (66/1)

Not the most exciting start to the card and while Dutch Uncle holds the aces at the weights he’s not the sort to trust implicitly and C&D winner WHINGING WILLIE is preferred despite the disparity at the weights. Gary Moore’s charge just appears a little more reliable and straightforward although he won’t want this running at a slow pace as he does stay further. The other three all face stiff tasks if the official ratings are to be believed with Don’t Cry About It given the nod for the minor placing over Contingency Fee.