Sri Lanka Paradise Island Handicap

Off time: 18:02 | Winning time: 1m 24.81s

(4)

Raucous^p,t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Cieren Fallon⁽⁷⁾| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 100| C

8/1

Course winner (6f) who has already been busy this year with some consistent performances which tend to lead to a mark that suggests the handicapper is in control. Proved his stamina for 7f last time; now 10lb above his last winning mark.

Form: 2-43622

(5)

Breathless Times^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Watson| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 97| BF| C| D

8/1

Another 6f course winner who for the most part has been productive until his recent 7f run at Lingfield (back from a break). Proved a disappointment last time (may have needed a stronger pace); looked a little below-par, needs to show more.

Form: 1316-57

(2)

Victory Wave^h¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: P Cosgrave| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 96| CD

11/4

Four-time winner last year (including one over C&D off a 2lb lower mark) she had a poor spell in Dubai but looked back to form at Kempton last time (6f). Will appreciate this return to 7f with the mark looking an attractive one.

Form: 646905

(6)

Margub¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Dane O'Neill| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 95| CD

9/4

Winner of two C&D minor events last year (at short prices) he still looked unexposed when taking a 7f handicap at Wolverhampton last time (made all). The handicapper hit him hard for that win (10lb rise); needs to prove he's up to this stiffer test.

Form: 5/1172-1

(3)

Masham Star³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 93| CD

3/1

One of three C&D winners he's a useful handicapper who hadn't quite sparked of late since winning an Italian Group 3 last year. Finally given some respite by the handicapper last time and responded with a good second at Windsor over 1m; contender.

Form: 1-60002

(1)

Al Barg^b¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Hannon| OR: 85| D

14/1

7f handicap winner last year (blinkers on first-time) he would have needed his comeback run this year (many of this yard's do). He's won second-time out for the past two years so despite his last effort he's worth looking at in a positive light here.

Form: 8/3143-7

Forecasts

Margub (9/4), Victory Wave (11/4), Masham Star (3/1), Raucous (8/1), Breathless Times (8/1), Al Barg (14/1)

Only a small field but five of the six have won around here three over this very distance and it’s not hard to argue a case for all the runners. Masham Star returns to action quickly after recording a very solid second last time out while Margub makes plenty of appeal having twice won over C&D and he needs to convince that he’s up to and worthy of his 10lb rise for his Wolverhampton win. VICTORY WAVE shaped as though she was back to her best last time and will appreciate this return to 7f especially off this mark. Raucous needs some assistance from the handicapper his consistency making life hard for him with the second run angle worth considering for Al Barg.