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Off time: 17:47 | Winning time: 1m 12.20s

(4)

King Robert²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: C Wallis| OR: 82| CD

3/1

One of three C&D winners in this doing so off a 3lb lower mark in December on his first start for this yard. Bounced back to form last time after a disappointing run again over C&D; this track and trip look to suit and won't be far away.

Form: 4641-63

(5)

Red Alert²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Poppy Bridgwater⁽⁵⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 82| CD

6/1

Finished off his 2018 turf season with a brace of wins at Bath over the extended 5f trip producing a career-best effort on the second occasion. Ran with credit on his AW return recently; would have gone closer with a clearer run, leading chance.

Form: 04311-4

(6)

Classic Pursuit^v²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 80| C| D

20/1

Four wins last year all over 5f but has won over this trip although his latest two starts since his Southwell December win have been regressive. Now back up to 6f with the visor worn for his last win back on; course winner over 5f.

Form: 0371-57

(1)

Smokey Lane^b¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S Thomas| OR: 80| D

4/1

Rather keen in first-time blinkers over 7f on his last start at Kempton (made running); now dropped back to 6f with headgear retained. Losing running starting to stack up but is starting to look well handicapped if he can find his old spark.

Form: 2745-73

(2)

Al Asef^p1³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: M Botti| OR: 78

2/1

Profile starting to look rather uneven although one or two of his recent starts would suggest that there is a bigger performance in him. Yet to win a handicap but the handicapper is giving him a chance; cheekpieces popped on for the first time.

Form: 44049-4

(3)

Gentlemen^h¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Josephine Gordon| T: P S McEntee| OR: 76| CD

5/1

Tends to run his races here (five-time course winner; three over C&D); back to winning ways at Newcastle recently (had the run of the race). Up 1lb but unlikely to find the circumstances so much in favour this time around up in grade/back in trip.

Form: 4-34461

Forecasts

Al Asef (2/1), King Robert (3/1), Smokey Lane (4/1), Gentlemen (5/1), Red Alert (6/1), Classic Pursuit (20/1)

If you are looking for promise in this sprint then you will be drawn in the direction of Al Asef with Ryan Moore taking the ride and the cheekpieces being employed for the first-time. He’s been given a chance by the handicapper but has had plenty of chances and there may be more solid options at the prices. RED ALERT is taken to build on his fourth at Kempton last month, a run that suggested he was capable of winning off this mark with King Robert a C&D winner taken to provide the main danger.