bet365 Handicap

Off time: 17:22 | Winning time: 2m 6.93s

(4)

Mordred²⁰¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 95

11/1

Useful and quite progressive juvenile who rounded off his two-year-old campaign with a good second under top weight in a 1m nursery at this track. This longer trip should suit, but 3lb rise makes life tough.

Form: 394172-

(3)

Marhaban⁷¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 88| D

3/1

Stepped up on only run as a juvenile when winning novice events at Lingfield and Wolverhampton earlier this year. Has been gelded since and makes turf debut, but last year's winning stable will know where they stand with him so he looks a player.

Form: 5-11

(5)

War Tiger⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 86

3/1

Promise on first two starts before landing a novice event and a handicap at Wolverhampton. Climbing the weights and makes his debut on turf, but has to enter calculations.

Form: 4-311

(1)

Solid Stone¹⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 85

9/4

Off the mark at the third attempt when justifying long odds-on favouritism at Newcastle in November. Handicap debut for leading trainer/jockey combination, but his stable has yet to hit top form this season.

Form: 421-

(2)

Never Do Nothing²⁰¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 83

7/2

Built on promise of Kempton debut when winning 1m novice auction events at Thirsk and Pontefract. Looks sure to appreciate this step up in trip and represents an in-form yard.

Form: 311-

Forecasts

Solid Stone (9/4), War Tiger (3/1), Marhaban (3/1), Never Do Nothing (7/2), Mordred (11/1)

Chances can be given to all five runners, but it will be surprising if Marhaban is not a warm favourite to oblige for last year's winning stable. However, he is by no means bomprooof and in NEVER DO NOTHING he faces an uexposed rival from an in-form yard who looks sure to enjoy this step up in trip. Top-weight Mordred faces a stiff task and Solid Stone may be one for later on, but War Tiger is progressive and much respected.