sunracing.co.uk Conditions Stakes

Off time: 17:55 | Winning time: 1m 47.52s

(1)

Oh This Is Us¹⁰⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon| OR: 111

9/2

Smart performer with wins at Listed level; even defied a mark of 108 in handicap company. Not seen since an uncharacteristically poor effort abroad over 1m in October. Lightly-raced on AW; has gone well fresh in the past; chance if stamina holds out.

Form: 261326-

(2)

Arcanada^p³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 95| CD

7/4

Winner of this last year completing a hat-trick (made all); ran creditably after that mainly on turf. Back to form on New Year's Eve (1m AW handicap, Lingfield) running off his last winning mark; made all again, dangerous with soft lead.

Form: 304001-

(5)

Hathal²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Nicola Currie| T: J A Osborne| OR: 107| CD

2/1

Dropped in grade to gain his first win for this yard over C&D last time out (ridden more positively than his main rival); suited by the speed test the race provided. Third has won since to give the form some substance; needs the same scenario.

Form: 62023-1

(6)

Michele Strogoff²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 90| CD

25/1

Third to Hathal on his penultimate start (needs to reverse that form on same terms); he has won since (produced a career best to win C&D handicap). Did get the run of the race there (soon clear); unlikely to get that same setup here.

Form: 211-631

(4)

Silver Quartz⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A Watson| OR: 100

4/1

Useful sort who has performed well in some tough handicaps winning one on his last start for his former yard over 1m at Ascot. Not quite up to speed in two AW runs for this yard although excuses could be found; not out of this on his course debut.

Form: 030175-

Non-Runners

(3)

Boynton³³¹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 5

T: C Appleby J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Arcanada (7/4), Hathal (2/1), Boynton (2/1), Silver Quartz (4/1), Oh This Is Us (9/2), Michele Strogoff (25/1)

An intriguing contest to illuminate the card with at least four of the quintet being given a chance of landing this prize. Despite the small field there should be a good pace on with last year’s winner Arcanada and three-time C&D winner Michele Strogoff looking likely to vie for the lead. The latter doesn’t look good enough to win this but he may play the role of spoiler and allow the others to sit in behind and conserve energy. Oh This Is Us is good enough to win this but mat just need the run while Silver Quartz has a little to find at the weights. HATHAL gets a similar scenario to which he found himself in last time and may find enough progress to follow up.