32Red.com Handicap

Off time: 18:33 | Winning time: 1m 12.96s

(6)

Doc Sportello¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: R Winston| T: A W Carroll| OR: 85| D

10/1

Over two years since last success and now 3lb below that winning mark. Entitled to have needed the run after last month's return from a 311-day absence and can't be discounted down in grade, however probably best watched.

Form: 078/336-

(5)

King Robert²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: C Wallis| OR: 83| D

15/8

Joined this yard for 16,000 gns having won three races for Bryan Smart and made an immediate impact with a strong win at Chelmsford in this grade. First run here and up 4lb but remains well handicapped and jockey booking notable.

Form: 484641-

(3)

Al Asef¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: M Botti| OR: 80

2/1

Returned from an absence with a strong finish over this C&D and looked one to follow before a below-par run over 7f at Lingfield. Distance can't be solely blamed and while return here may help there are questions to answer.

Form: 1/44049-

(4)

Gold Hunter⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-12| J: Finley Marsh⁽³⁾| T: S Flook| OR: 76| D

25/1

Well beaten on only previous visit here and has lost his way on his last two starts for Adrian Wintle and on new stable debut. Drop in trip a positive but still 2lb higher than last winning mark and others look more reliable.

Form: 13590-5

(2)

Bernie's Boy^p¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Grace McEntee⁽⁷⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 74| C| D

11/1

Has eased to a competitive mark and been racing to a consistent standard over various trips between 5f and 7f. This is a rise in grade however and likely to prove tougher. Declared here Tuesday.

Form: 735-425

(1)

Peggy's Angel^h⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: J F Egan| T: J Hughes| OR: 72| D

4/1

Form last year took a severe nosedive but returned near to her best when a neck second over this C&D last time. Had been racing in slowly run races and got a good pace to aim at there and that's clearly the key. Can go well again.

Form: 85008-2

Forecasts

King Robert (15/8), Al Asef (2/1), Peggy's Angel (4/1), Doc Sportello (10/1), Bernie's Boy (11/1), Gold Hunter (25/1)

King Robert will be rightly popular as he's on a good mark based on his best form and with this jockey booking will be fancied to follow up on his strong stable debut win. It is though his first run here and PEGGY'S ANGEL gets the verdict based on her big latest run over this C&D and despite the small field there is enough pace on offer to suggest she'll get the decent tempo she craves. The rest have doubts but Bernie's Boy is consistent if taking his chance.