16:25 Beverley

Thursday 25 April 2019

All13:4014:1514:5015:2015:5516:2516:5517:25

Rapid Lad Handicap

Off time: 16:26 | Winning time: 2m 8.54s

(2)

Velvet Vision²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: J F Egan| T: M H Tompkins| OR: 71| D

11/2

Won a novice event over this trip at Newcastle 13-months ago (second start). Returned with a decent effort in a Chelmsford handicap recently. Same mark for this return to turf, and she looks capable of going close.

Form: 15448-3

(7)

Never Be Enough^h1¹⁹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: T Eaves| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 70

12/1

Peak effort of four starts was her third, when beaten just ¾L in a 1m Newcastle novice event in October. Well held when stepped up to 1m4f on handicap debut at Musselburgh next time. Hooded for reappearance. More needed.

Form: 3335-

(5)

Agar's Plough¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 69

9/2

0-14 so far, all but his recent reappearance being for Ed Dunlop. Stable debut suggested that this step up in trip would suit, and a 1lb drop won't harm. Acts on good to firm and not ruled out.

Form: 02509-5

(6)

Zorawar^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 68

3/1

Sole turf win came on soft in France in 2017 (7f). Recorded back-to-back Wolverhampton wins (1m½f) in February. Reasonably competitive from 2lb higher on his last two starts, but needs to step up on that to get his nose in front again.

Form: 124246

(8)

Thorntoun Care¹⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Shane Gray| T: K Tutty| OR: 67| D

28/1

Stays 1m4½f on fast ground and is back on the same mark as his most recent win at Ayr (1m2f) last July, when with Iain Jardine. Below par last two starts of last season, and record when fresh not encouraging.

Form: 750340-

(4)

Whatwouldyouknow¹⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Philip Prince| T: R C Guest| OR: 67| CD

7/1

Triple Wolverhampton (AW) winner whose sole turf success came over C&D (good to firm) in September, when 12lb lower. Well held from this mark when last seen in AW in December. May now be exposed, but market can guide on reappearance.

Form: 424117-

(3)

Glacier Fox⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Sullivan| T: T P Tate| OR: 65

9/1

Yet to win, but handles quick ground and also gets this trip. Should come on for his reappearance in a Newcastle maiden last month, and has each-way claims from this mark.

Form: 48/852-3

(9)

Star Of Valour^h¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: D C Costello| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 63

16/1

Best effort so far came on debut in France (1m, soft) last June, when with Andre Fabre. Joined this stable ahead of three runs this spring. Showed more promise on handicap debut last time at Pontefract and from 2lb lower he could make an impact.

Form: 3-905

(1)

Mont Royal^p²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: J Fanning| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 58| C

9/2

1-21, but sole win did come here over extended 1m (good to firm) two years ago, when 10lb higher. Returned to run well over C&D last August, when beaten ¾L from just 1lb higher. Can't rule out if in that mood. Market check.

Form: 34626-7

Forecasts

Zorawar (3/1), Agar's Plough (9/2), Mont Royal (9/2), Velvet Vision (11/2), Whatwouldyouknow (7/1), Glacier Fox (9/1), Never Be Enough (12/1), Star Of Valour (16/1), Thorntoun Care (28/1)

Thorntoun Care is interesting from this mark, but his record when fresh is a bit offputting and the suggestion is STAR OF VALOUR, who produced a reasonably encouraging handicap debut last time and could prove up to this from 2lb lower. Velvet Vision looks a danger, while Agar's Plough, Zorawar, Glacier Fox and Mont Royal all have positives to their names and could vy for some prize money.