Pertemps Network Stayers' Handicap

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 3m 9.09s

(1)

Sharja Silk^p1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Varian| OR: 86| BF

6/5

Placed on multiple occasions over this sort of trip, but unable to get his nose in front. Ran well again at Kempton on his reappearance, but a 3lb rise for that leaves him needing improvement that does not look to be there at present.

Form: 23232-2

(6)

Fibonacci²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: P Hanagan| T: A King| OR: 80| C

6/1

Scored here (1m3f, good to soft) in 2017, and has since won over further than today's trip. Has little to show for three hurdles runs on switching to this trainer, but produced better at Kempton (2m, AW) latest. Not written off.

Form: 514/12-3

(2)

Azari^b¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 80| C

8/1

Ran up a hat-trick at Southwell (all 1m4f) in the winter, the latest from just 1lb lower than today. Has also won over that trip here (good to soft) in the past, Held from 1lb higher on last two AW starts, so arrives with a bit to prove.

Form: 1-11534

(4)

Jedhi¹⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: G Lee| T: H Morrison| OR: 79| D

9/4

Scored over this trip at Nottingham (soft) in October, when 1lb lower. So far, that appears to be the ceiling of her ability, but it is possible that she could have improved again over the winter. Check the market for clues.

Form: 134156-

(3)

Royal Flag¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 8-6| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 65

10/1

Stays well and acts on good to soft. On a competitive mark, but has done all of his winning in Class 5 company. Can't write him off, but he does have something to prove at this level.

Form: 2212-08

Non-Runners

(5)

Michael's Mount¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 6

T: Ian Williams J: R Kingscote

Forecasts

Sharja Silk (6/5), Jedhi (9/4), Fibonacci (6/1), Azari (8/1), Michael's Mount (8/1), Royal Flag (10/1)

All of this field has at least one question to answer, adding some intrigue to the conundrum. Preference is for MICHAEL'S MOUNT, who has to prove he gets this trip on the level, but otherwise has plenty going for him, so we will take the chance. Sharja Silk and Fibonacci look the more obvious dangers, while Jedhi looks well worth a market check to gauge confidence on her return.