Bet toteexacta At totesport.com Handicap

Off time: 18:20 | Winning time: 3m 0.43s

(3)

Emirates Empire¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Spencer| T: M L W Bell| OR: 80

13/8

Promise in two starts last term but has imrpoved this campaign and after going close at Lingfield in March made no mistake stepped up to 12f in Wolverhampton maiden last time. Stayed on well there so extra 2f should suit.

Form: 93-21

(4)

Smarter¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 80

3/1

Off the mark at fifth time of asking when hacking up in Southwell 1m4f h'cap penultimate start but raised a hefty 14lb for his troubles. Close second at Newcastle last time and certainly worth a try over this longer trip off 2lb higher mark.

Form: 046-712

(5)

Lord Lamington¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 80| C

5/2

Jockey booking catches the eye having 19% strike rate for the stable. Won handicaps at Newcastle in March and here over almost this trip last time, either side of fair Lingfield second when dropped in trip. Up 5lb but sure to be thereabouts.

Form: 36-4121

(1)

Withoutdestination^b³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M Botti| OR: 76

8/1

Narrowly beaten on third start in Newcastle maiden then made winning handicap bow under 7lb claimer at Wolverhampton (1m4f) last time, getting up close home. Longer trip should be fine off 5lb higher mark.

Form: 5621

(2)

Tigray¹¹^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 68

12/1

Well bred but disappointing in seven starts for Joseph O'Brien. Second to Lord Lamington (gave 7lb) on British bow here a fortnight ago, and went one better last time at Southwell. Carried 6lb penalty for yard who do so well improving horses.

Form: 670221

Forecasts

Emirates Empire (13/8), Lord Lamington (5/2), Smarter (3/1), Withoutdestination (8/1), Tigray (12/1)

Impossible to rule out any of the five in a tight-knit handicap but the marginal call is for LORD LAMNINGTON with Ryan Moore an eyecatching booking. Tigray is only 1lb better off with the selection for a three-length beating here but has progressed since then and is a danger under his penalty. Emirates Empire, Withoutdestination and Smarter are all capable of winning and should stay on what we've seen so far. The market may provide more important clues in a race that might be worth following.