Byerley Stud 'City Bowl' Handicap

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 3m 0.66s

Reshoun^p¹⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: James Doyle| T: Ian Williams| OR: 95| D

12/1

Won well at Haydock last September over 1m6f but that on heavy ground. Close third in November handicap more evidence he is capable off such a mark but that also on soft so going the worry today.

Form: 000137-

Quloob²⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 95WS

9/2

Three-time winner at up to 1m4f last season when he also showed 1m6f to suit well. Lost way latterly but had a wind-op and been gelded during the winter so expect a bold bid here given he went close off a mark just 1lb lower last season.

Form: 1112/50-

Mancini²⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: J G Portman| OR: 92| D

7/1

Three-time winner last season, twice over 2m. Below par late on last season and suspect handicapper now has him on a tight rein.

Form: 141380-

Gumball³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: S De Sousa| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 86

9/4

Smart juvenile hurdler last season and relished switch to AW flat races turning over Grade One winner Verdana Blue at Kempton before following up at Lingfield. Turf will hold no fears and remains progressive on the level so every chance here.

Form: 11

Scaramanga²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Megan Nicholls⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 85| BF

15/8

Showed smart form on a few occasions for James Fanshawe at up to this distance without winning and may well have improved since based on decent hurdles form for this yard. Highest mark to date but far from ruled out.

Form: 57342-

Flintrock²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 82

11/1

Won a Bath novice race in May last season on firm ground. Fourth on return at Kempton where he lost two places in the last few strides over 1m4f. Bred to relish such a stamina test and still highly unexposed, likable combination.

Form: 317-4

Non-Runners

Medburn Cutler¹⁶

Weight: 8-8| Age: 9

T: P Hedger J: David Egan

Forecasts

Scaramanga (15/8), Gumball (9/4), Quloob (9/2), Mancini (7/1), Flintrock (11/1), Reshoun (12/1), Medburn Cutler (16/1)

A small field but a very tough contest this. The vote goes to FLINTROCK who had been off almost a year when a close fourth in return over 1m4f. He has a stamina-laden pedigree so could improve plenty for such a test with that run under his belt. Quloob is very capable off this mark and should be refreshed by a break and wind-op/gelding. Gumball is loving life back on the flat and is another with obvious claims.