16:15 Beverley

Monday 6 May 2019

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2518:00

Brian Dixon Memorial Handicap

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 2m 7.96s

(7)

Alfa McGuire⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: S H James| T: Phillip Makin| OR: 82| C

3/1

Both wins to date have come over 7½f here in novice auction events for Bryan Smart. Has run respectable on both starts for his new yard this spring, and possible that a return to this track will see some improvement.

Form: 4070-94

(8)

Dr Richard Kimble⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 80

12/1

Made all to win over 1½m at Ripon last August, but rather disappointing since, including over hurdles, and ran poorly on his Flat return at Wolverhampton last month. Needs to leave that behind.

Form: 93198-8

(5)

Kharbetation^h1¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 77| D

9/1

Both wins have come at 1m, although he ought to stay further. Has been tried in a variety of headgear, and connections now reach for a hood after he ran below par on his reappearance at Nottingham.

Form: 25499-5

(4)

Sands Chorus^p⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 77| D

9/4

Slowly away on return, and this front-runner has got back to form when making the frame over similar trips to this at Newbury and Haydock since. Handicapper has given him a chance, and has claims if able to boss this race early.

Form: 008-034

(6)

Ventura Gold¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Sean Davis⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 76

10/1

Sprung a surprise to win on his return over 1m at Leicester, and granted an easy lead when following up at Musselburgh (1m1f) last time. Respected in current mood, but up in the weights, and faces competition for the lead here.

Form: 4109-11

(1)

Where's Jeff²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 74

10/3

Won at Newcastle and Hamilton (1m½f) in 2018, and ran well when runner-up over extended 1m1f at latter track. Made a promising comeback at Nottingham, and should be fitter now, so shortlisted from inside draw.

Form: 11263-4

(2)

Low Profile^p²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Phil Dennis| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 70

33/1

Scored on his final start for Roger Curtis at Wetherby (1m6f, good to firm) last June, but hasn't built on a fair start for current yard, and was well beaten at Pontefract last month. Drops in trip now.

Form: 86146-8

(3)

Breathable²³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 69| CD

14/1

Won an amateur riders' race over C&D last summer, and runner-up on next two starts. Ended 2018 with two modest runs, but back to a mark off which he can be competitive, and not easily dismissed.

Form: 212244-

Forecasts

Sands Chorus (9/4), Alfa McGuire (3/1), Where's Jeff (10/3), Kharbetation (9/1), Ventura Gold (10/1), Dr Richard Kimble (12/1), Breathable (14/1), Low Profile (33/1)

SANDS CHORUS has fallen a fair way in the weights over the past year or so, and has hinted on his last two starts for his new stable that he ready to take advantage. He can make all the running, with Where's Jeff appealing as the one to thrown down the biggest challenge. Ventura Gold is on a hat-trick so merits respect, but he won't get an easy lead here, and may have to settle for a minor role.