Rosena Coates Birthday Celebration Handicap

Off time: 16:26 | Winning time: 1m 24.56s

(3)

Bbob Alula^t²²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Ryan While⁽⁵⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 75| D

7/2

Best judged on his Chepstow 7f win last year on quick ground by 6L although the handicapper may have overreacted to that victory placing him on a mark in the mid-70's. Testing ground appeared to take its toll when last seen; may need this run.

Form: 991024-

(2)

He's Our Star²⁰²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: A Stronge| OR: 69

11/8

Dual 1m handicap winner last year and still looks fairly handicapped based on that form. Makes his return to action here (no great record fresh) having ended last season in disappointing fashion; will enjoy this surface, first run at this track.

Form: 714140-

(5)

Wilson^p²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: R Ffrench| T: Miss J Feilden| OR: 66| CD

11/2

The only C&D winner in the field although that victory did come outside of handicap company. Has won in this sphere on the AW (took advantage of a career-low mark) at Kempton (7f) but ran poorly at Lingfield last time; comes with risks attached.

Form: 0401-59

(1)

The British Lion^t1¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 65| D

5/2

Won on his final start for Mark Johnston (well backed) over 7f at Wolverhampton earlier in the year. Has yet to hit his stride for this yard (this will be his turf debut for them); tongue-tie goes on for the first-time; market watch advised.

Form: 169677

(4)

Sweet Nature²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Liam Jones| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 63

20/1

AW winner over 1m she made only her second foray onto turf last time (first since her debut). Ran well below form to beat only one home at Windsor over 1m2f; all of the current evidence leaves her with something to prove.

Form: 82-4530

Forecasts

He's Our Star (11/8), The British Lion (5/2), Bbob Alula (7/2), Wilson (11/2), Sweet Nature (20/1)

Hardly a strong contest for the grade and none of the quintet come with particularly strong or compelling credentials. A chance is taken that the tongue-tie will induce some progress from THE BRITISH LION especially as he’s slipped below his last winning mark. Bbob Alula looks to have been handed a fairly stiff looking mark although he does have a second over C&D to his name which will stand him in good stead. Wilson hasn’t shown many signs of matching his C&D win while He’s Our Star will have to improve on his first-time out record to take a hand although he should enjoy this sound surface.