15:05 Bath

Friday 24 May 2019

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:20

Empire Fighting Chance Handicap

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 2m 10.07s

(5)

Ballet Red¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Mitch Godwin⁽³⁾| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 67

5/1

Eight-race maiden whose form would actually suggest that she is regressing. Dropped another 2lb by the handicapper after an unsatisfactory run when 4th at Chepstow (1m2f; good to firm) last time. Tough task.

Form: 2427-54

(6)

Irish Art¹⁹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: S Donohoe| T: D R Lanigan| OR: 66

11/4

Raced exclusively at 1m on the AW in four starts last season. Showed improved form on final start when fourth on handicap debut, when it seemed as though the step up to 1m2f would really suit. Strongly fancied.

Form: 8044-

(1)

Azets^b²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: P J Dobbs| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 61

3/1

Hard to believe he was bought for 300,000gns as a yearling. Improved on what he has shown so far in handicaps when fourth at Goodwood and would have a chance if able to reproduce that level of form.

Form: 00-3674

(7)

Vin D'Honneur^p⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: S C Williams| OR: 60| D

10/1

Secured first career success, when winning at Lingfield (1m2f; standard) a month ago. Not seen since which is a slight worry, but he is a definite player if managing to build on that run. Inconsistent sort prior to breaking her maiden.

Form: 4-96271

(2)

Catch The Cuban^p,t²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Charlie Bennett| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 59

4/1

Rare runner on the flat for top jumps trainer Colin Tizzard which should be noted. Showed improved form on first try at this trip when 2nd at Salisbury (1m2f; good to firm) and would hold each-way claims in this.

Form: 05609-2

(4)

Sadlers Beach^h¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Hayley Turner| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 49

11/2

Holds a similar profile to that of Irish Art. Finished down the field in three maidens last season before stepping up in trip on handicap debut to improve markedly on what she had previously shown. Major player.

Form: 980-4

Non-Runners

(3)

Mr Fox²²

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: M J Attwater J: Callum Shepherd

Forecasts

Irish Art (11/4), Azets (3/1), Catch The Cuban (4/1), Ballet Red (5/1), Sadlers Beach (11/2), Vin D'Honneur (10/1), Mr Fox (12/1)

This looks to rest between both IRISH ART and Sadlers Beach. The former is preferred with the strong possibility of further improvement to come, now that he tackles 1m2f for the first time on what is just his second start in a handicap. The latter of the pair has had an outing this season, but the form of that seasonal return is not very strong and you would have hoped he would have been up to winning then if he was going to be considered as a serious win contender today. Vin D'Honneur holds solid place claims, if none the worse for her two month break.