14:10 Leicester

Tuesday 28 May 2019

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

Saffron 3-Y-O Fillies' Handicap

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 1m 11.76s

(8)

Miss Elsa³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Georgia Dobie⁽⁷⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 71

16/1

Went close on first three starts in novice/maiden company at 5f/6f, and well handicapped on that form. Ended 2018 with a poor run, however, and fared no better on return over 7f here a month ago. Drop in trip may help, but has questions to answer.

Form: 2225-0

(11)

Queen Of Burgundy⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Joey Haynes| T: Mrs C A Dunnett| OR: 69

40/1

Disappointing in two runs for William Haggas, but didn't shape too badly despite being out of her depth on debut for new yard at Newmarket last month. Remains to be seen whether she can build on that.

Form: 68-7

(2)

Showu¹⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: A W Carroll| OR: 68

14/1

Best effort for Robert Eddery when second in a 5f nursery at Sandown, and also fourth of 15 in a similar event over C&D. Ran badly on final start, and on debut for new yard in January, but may be worth another chance under these conditions.

Form: 62340-5

(10)

Lady Monica¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: R Ffrench| T: J R Holt| OR: 68| D

12/1

Showed little last year, and sent off at a huge price on return at Nottingham, but found plenty to win a shade cosily. No reason to think that was a fluke, and not taken lightly on handicap debut.

Form: 00-1

(3)

Beryl The Petal^p1⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: C J McGovern⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 68| BF| D

7/4

Largely consistent since sent handicapping, and put up an improved performance when staying-on second over 7f here last week. Drop in trip not ideal, but is ahead of the handicapper on that evidence. Cheekpieces tried now.

Form: 4-23352

(9)

Tie A Yellowribbon^p⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: S De Sousa| T: J D Bethell| OR: 66

3/1

Nothing special this year, but has shaped better than the result on her last two starts, including when weakening late over 7f here last time in blinkers. Cheekpieces refitted now, and could do better at this trip.

Form: 32-3755

(4)

Moneta⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 65| BF

7/1

Modest form on debut for Charlie Appleby, but runner-up at Kempton for new yard, and not disgraced when fourth in handicaps at Chepstow and over 7f here (well backed). Weakened late last time, so worth a try back in trip.

Form: 5-2744

(5)

Sepahi^p⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: B A Curtis| T: H Spiller| OR: 63

33/1

A drop to 5f and first-time cheekpieces helped her gain a first win at Chelmsford in March. That was a poor a race however, and a 3lb rise will make a repeat success unlikely.

Form: 575-571

(1)

Bedtime Bella¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: K R Burke| OR: 62

13/2

Best effort in qualifying runs when third of 10 to Victory Day in a 6f maiden at Ripon last time. Clearly no star, but opening mark isn't too harsh, and she ought to progress, so respected.

Form: 873

Non-Runners

(7)

Mayfair Madame²²

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: W S Kittow J: Jason Watson

(6)

Knockabout Queen¹³

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: D Burchell J: Megan Nicholls

Forecasts

Beryl The Petal (7/4), Tie A Yellowribbon (3/1), Bedtime Bella (13/2), Moneta (7/1), Lady Monica (12/1), Showu (14/1), Miss Elsa (16/1), Mayfair Madame (16/1), Sepahi (33/1), Knockabout Queen (33/1), Queen Of Burgundy (40/1)

BERYL THE PETAL was well ahead of both Moneta and Tie A Yellowribbon over 7f here last week, and while the drop in trip should bring the trio much closer together, David O'Meara's filly should maintain her dominance on identical terms. Lady Monica sprung a huge shock at Nottingham on her return, but there was no fluke about it, and she might be the main danger.