Ladbrokes Handicap

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 2m 6.13s

(4)

Murray River^b⁸⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 10-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 76| BF

10/11

140,000gns yearling with a muddling profile so far; has shown his best form of turf (at 1m) when racing keenly; less productive after tardy starts in a couple of more recent attempts in handicap company (1m2f); merits respect on second AW start.

Form: 73253-

(1)

Debbonair¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Palmer| OR: 69| BF

9/4

Quickened up smartly when scoring on handicap debut at Kempton (1m) in December but hung wide on the bend when finishing third to Renegade Master over C&D latest; still a work in progress and isn't prohibitively handicapped.

Form: 4571-3

(3)

Navadir^h²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: M Botti| OR: 69

4/1

Deep Impact filly on a gradual upward curve from humble beginnings; beaten a head by Hermocrates (also has form associated with Debbonair) on handicap debut at Wolverhampton (1m1f+) last month; now 3lb higher.

Form: 683-2

(5)

Warrior Display^p²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Aaron Mackay⁽⁷⁾| T: J S Moore| OR: 61

20/1

Off the mark at the seventh time of asking (33/1) when arriving late on the scene to down Tabou Beach Boy by a short-head at Wolverhampton (1m1f+) last month; 3lb higher, yet could feasibly show more improvement at this trip.

Form: 66844-1

Non-Runners

(2)

Lady Cosette¹⁴

Weight: 10-1| Age: 3

T: H J L Dunlop J: A Kirby

Forecasts

Murray River (10/11), Debbonair (9/4), Lady Cosette (7/2), Navadir (4/1), Warrior Display (20/1)

No standout contender, so the market could potentially offer the most pertinent clues. Murray River is deserving of respect based upon the Gosden/Dettori partnership alone and isn't necessarily fully exposed on a synthetic surface either. However, it's probably worth acknowledging that at this stage of their racing careers both Navadir and DEBBONAIR appear more progressive. The selection deployed a smart turn of foot when winning on his penultimate start at Kempton (1m). If this potent weapon can be harnessed by his rider Oisin Murphy until the closing stages, he's capable of handling this longer trip.