14:15 Bath

Monday 6 May 2019

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:45

Empire Fighting Chance Handicap

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 2m 28.56s

(1)

Agent Gibbs^p⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: S W Kelly| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 65| D

4/1

Without a win since 2016 when he landed back-to-back wins off a mark of 76 at York and Chepstow over 1m4f. Absent after those victories until 2018 he's now on a losing run of 15; raced mainly on the AW; mark attractive now but below his best of late.

Form: 0-50785

(6)

Gendarme^b1⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 65

9/4

Yet to gain a win (0-13) but bounced back to form over C&D recently when finishing third (Agent Gibbs fifth). He did look dangerous until wandering in the closing stages; it should be remembered that he's been an inconsistent sort in the past.

Form: 752793

(8)

General Brook^h²³²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 65| CD

16/1

Managed to undergo a major revival in 2018 winning five handicaps rising from a lowly mark (46) to 61 for his last win in the handicap (one of those wins over C&D). Finished the year on a downbeat; back from a break (went well fresh last year).

Form: 211460-

(3)

Roc Astrale^p,t⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Grace McEntee⁽⁷⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 61

5/1

Tried in various headgear combinations (this isn't a new one) but remains a maiden despite a slightly better performance under a more positive ride last time. This will be just his second run on turf; given a chance by the handicapper.

Form: 859-584

(5)

Another Go¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: R J Smith| OR: 60

25/1

Flat or hurdles it's all appeared to be rather a struggle of late with his last of 13 when last seen on the level highlighting that point. His hurdles form gives little encouragement either and he can only be watched despite the sliding mark.

Form: 55/6490-

(4)

Dimmesdale⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Liam Jones| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 58

18/1

Did run in one bumper for Tom Lacey (yard does well in that sphere) despite being bred more for duties on the Flat. Appeared to show a glimmer of promise on his Flat debut but has gone backwards since then; handicaps need to induce some progress.

Form: 567

(9)

Butterfield^p1³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: F Norton| T: A W Carroll| OR: 54

4/1

Cheekpieces now added for the first time in a bid to find some improvement that will change his 0-10 record so far. Wasn't seen to best effect in a Doncaster amateur riders' race last time; looks one-paced, could do with a greater test of stamina.

Form: 79-0460

(7)

Millie May³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-3| J: J Quinn| T: J C Fox| OR: 47| D

12/1

0-5 on turf but has a better record (1-6) on the AW having been able to spring a surprise 66-1 victory on the AW (1m4f) last December. Seen to maximum effect her record since and before was an unconvincing one; questions remain to be answered.

Form: 8971-04

(2)

Cougar Kid^p¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 8-2| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 45

12/1

One of three in the race for the trainer he's been in good form over the winter over timber although he's failed to win in that sphere since early last year. Not seen on the Flat since 2017 (produced a laboured effort); trip looks short enough.

Form: 590407/

Forecasts

Gendarme (9/4), Agent Gibbs (4/1), Butterfield (4/1), Roc Astrale (5/1), Millie May (12/1), Cougar Kid (12/1), General Brook (16/1), Dimmesdale (18/1), Another Go (25/1)

The absence of solid profiles in this opener means that care should be exercised although GENERAL BROOK is given a positive mention on the back of his winning form last year and it may well have been that he needed a break eventually; his record fresh last year is a positive. Gendarme looked threatening last time in a C&D handicap and a repeat of that form with the blinkers now being applied for the first time would be good enough to take him close. Cougar Kid has been in good form over timber and if he can transfer that form he would enter the equation despite the trip looking a little short based on his hurdling preferences. Roc Astrale can’t be dismissed off a sliding mark.