Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap

Off time: 12:00 | Winning time: 1m 10.07s

(3)

Alsvinder^t⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94

10/1

Has won four times this term and risen 26lb in the process. Yet to race beyond five furlongs though so this could be tough as he faces decent opposition. Hopes rest on their being only a modest pace early on.

Form: 657150

(1)

El Hombre¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: David Probert| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 93| D

1/1

Took advantage of easing mark to score over 6f at Wolverhampton last time but has been raised 6lb for his troubles. Clearly in good heart though and should make a bold show having travelled down from Scotland for this.

Form: 700331

(2)

Mokaatil^t⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S Donohoe| T: Ian Williams| OR: 92

15/2

Won Ripon 5f maiden last term for Owen Burrows and ran well without reaching the frame in two listed events that campaign. Joined current yard in November and ran with promise last time when fourth over 5f. Not a certain stayer at this trip though.

Form: 3-95784

(4)

Merhoob¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: J Ryan| OR: 90| CD

5/2

Won Chelmsford 6f handicap off this mark in September and stayed on after a poor start when fifth at Wolverhampton last time. Has won twice here before including over this trip so shouldn't be far away once again.

Form: 403995

(6)

Zac Brown^t¹⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: C Wallis| OR: 88| CD

14/1

Two wins in 2018 for this 10-time scorer and has won over C&D in the past. 3lb higher now than last AW win at Chelmsford in April but a big show cannot be ruled out if things go his way. Yard in fair form of late.

Form: 217473

(5)

Doc Sportello³¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: R Winston| T: A W Carroll| OR: 87| D

16/1

Hasn't won for nearly two years and returns from 10-month absence . Usually needs a run or two to reach his peak so looks up against it despite yard having been among the winners recently.

Form: 7078-33

Forecasts

El Hombre (1/1), Merhoob (5/2), Mokaatil (15/2), Alsvinder (10/1), Zac Brown (14/1), Doc Sportello (16/1)

This is a tightly knit sprint handicap and could become tactical with most of the runners usually held up off the pace. EL HOMBRE is one of the few comfortable racing close up so this might give him an easy lead. On that basis he is recommended ahead of Merhoob, who has every chance if he doesn't fluff his lines at the start as he did last time. Top weight Alsvinder has stamina to prove - as does Mokaatil - but a slow race would help his cause, while Zac Brown cannot be ruled out of the equation either.