16:55 Hamilton

Sunday 5 May 2019

All13:3014:0514:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Handicap

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 1m 46.83s

(1)

Mearing^p⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 71| D

4/1

Won twice on soft ground last summer, the more recent at Chester (1m2f) when 3lb lower, in a better race. Not as good since, however, so has a bit to prove, and really needs some rain to ease conditions.

Form: 1213-49

(2)

Strong Steps²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: J S Goldie| OR: 70| D

13/8

Just 1-34 on turf, and although a 3L sixth on his reappearance at Redcar last month was no disgrace, he does need to improve on that to have any chance.

Form: 60059-6

(7)

Zodiakos^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 65| BF| D

11/4

Reappeared with a respectable 3L third at Pontefract (1m, good to firm) last month. Dropped 1lb since then, and no surprise if he proves very competitive this time.

Form: 22-2253

(8)

Chinese Spirit¹⁸⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: Miss L A Perratt| OR: 64| BF| D

14/1

Rain would help, given that both his wins have been at Ayr (1m/1m1f) when there has been some cut. Changed yard since last seen in November, and on a handy mark on some old form, so market check suggested.

Form: 432455-

(4)

Majeste¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 58

9/1

Fast ground Newbury maiden winner (6f) on his second start, when with Richard Hannon in 2016. On a 21-race losing run since then (last 13 for this trainer), but went close from this mark at Ayr in October, so can't write him off.

Form: 52050-6

(6)

Spirit Of Sarwan^p⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Ben Sanderson⁽⁵⁾| T: Stef Keniry| OR: 58

7/1

Won a Brighton novice event (6f, good to firm) in 2016, when with Julie Fielden, for whom he added an AW handicap (7f). Largely downhill trajectory since then, and not easy to recommend on recent evidence.

Form: 2779-94

(3)

Pudding Chare^t²⁰⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: A Mullen| T: R M Smith| OR: 55

25/1

Sole win came at Ayr (1m1f, good to firm) last year, when 4lb higher. Form has been in decline since then, however, so hard to get excited about his chance, despite looking well treated here.

Form: 589090-

Non-Runners

(5)

Alexandrakollontai¹⁸

Weight: 9-4| Age: 9

T: A C Whillans J: Connor Murtagh

Forecasts

Strong Steps (13/8), Zodiakos (11/4), Mearing (4/1), Spirit Of Sarwan (7/1), Alexandrakollontai (7/1), Majeste (9/1), Chinese Spirit (14/1), Pudding Chare (25/1)

Another potentially trappy event and an eye on the market is very much advised. Without that knowledge, the suggestion is ZODIAKOS, who is taken to build on his reappearance from what is a very competitive mark. Mearing would come into thoughts if the going turns softer than good, while money for Alexandrakollontai, Chinese Spirit or Majeste would make them of interest.