16:10 Brighton

Tuesday 21 May 2019

All14:0014:3515:0515:3516:1016:4517:15

Rag'N'Bone Man Here Live 27th July Handicap

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 2m 30.59s

(6)

King Of The Sand¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: G & J Moore| OR: 70| C

6/4

Course winner over 4f less than today's trip but under the same rider back in 2017. No wins have come his way since that triumph but he did take a step back in the right direction last time over 1m2f (didn't look an easy ride) at Lingfield (turf).

Form: 9057-35

(9)

Gendarme^b⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 69| BF| D

7/2

First-time blinkers certainly worked the oracle when he scored at Bath over a trip just short of today's; 4lb lower mark. Couldn't quite manage to follow up last time (still ran with credit); has looked quirky under pressure, ought to play a part.

Form: 279312

(5)

Highland Sky^h²⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Dylan Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: D M Simcock| OR: 68

5/1

Not seen for quite some while and ran poorly on the last occasion that he was sighted on the AW at Kempton over 2m (needed a stronger gallop). Last win came in this grade over 1m6f on turf at Lingfield; remains 4lb above that winning mark.

Form: 358134-

(4)

Makambe⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Joey Haynes| T: P Howling| OR: 68

9/1

Despite not having won for a while he's running well enough to be considered in the conversation especially off a mark like this. Possibly needs everything to drop the right way but back under a fully-fledged rider now; must go close.

Form: 746463

(7)

Hatsaway¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Paddy Bradley⁽³⁾| T: P Phelan| OR: 67| CD

7/1

C&D winner who has shown some fair form on turf and would have needed his Goodwood pipe-opener last time (did enough to suggest that he still has ability). Not on a bad mark but likely to be found wanting against a few of these.

Form: 29340-7

(1)

Roy Rocket²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: J F Egan| T: John Berry| OR: 64| CD

10/1

Brighton legend with nine course victories to his name (six over this trip); yet to really fire this year though despite two trips to his favourite seaside venue. Back down below his last winning mark (by 3lb); hard to write off around here.

Form: 144-054

(8)

Star Of Athena^h1²²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: A Stronge| OR: 62WS

33/1

Gave the impression despite a few quirky traits that she was the type who might be seen to better advantage in handicaps but made little impression when she was tried in that sphere. Now back after a wind op in a first-time hood, best watched.

Form: 7530-

(2)

Iballisticvin¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: L P Keniry| T: G & J Moore| OR: 58| CD

16/1

C&D winner but nowhere near the form he showed then in two underwhelming efforts this year both over shorter trips than he faces today. Mark continues to slide (7lb below last winning mark); will benefit from stronger handling here.

Form: 43F6-80

Non-Runners

(3)

Vanity Vanity³⁶

Weight: 8-9| Age: 4

T: D J Coakley J: Non Runner

Forecasts

King Of The Sand (6/4), Gendarme (7/2), Highland Sky (5/1), Hatsaway (7/1), Makambe (9/1), Roy Rocket (10/1), Vanity Vanity (14/1), Iballisticvin (16/1), Star Of Athena (33/1)

A tenth course win for the Brighton legend Roy Rocket would be hugely popular but he has to prove himself this year although the move back to this trip should help. Gendarme has already shown that he’s capable of producing some decent performances and as long as the blinkers continue to work je should be on the premises again with the likes of King Of The Sand. MAKAMBE caught the eye at Doncaster last time though under an inexperienced pilot and with Joey Haynes back in the saddle he’s taken to gain a well deserved victory. Iballisticvin has yet to show his worth this year but off this mark and with stronger handling he should be ignored if the market speaks for him.