T C Building Services Handicap

Off time: 18:40 | Winning time: 1m 39.71s

(3)

Salt Whistle Bay²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Dane O'Neill| T: Rae Guest| OR: 79| D

7/2

Best form has come with give underfoot so the forecast fast ground has to be a major concern. If the going eases then he would have good claims following solid second at Lingfield last time.

Form: 679-442

(5)

Nahham¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 79| CD

7/4

275,000 guineas Dawn Appraoch yearling in 2016 but made debut only in March 2019 when winning by a nose at Kempton. Followed up over C&D last month before unplaced from bad draw at Kempton last time. Sets a decent standard off 2lb lower mark.

Form: 117

(6)

Poetic Force^t³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Joey Haynes| T: A W Carroll| OR: 75

9/2

6-15 on AW but just 1-22 on turf. Fair run latest over Ascot mile when ninth of 20 and off 1lb lower mark isn't out of it, but finds winning in this sphere a tough ask.

Form: 9-02159

(2)

Rock Icon⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: A Stronge| OR: 74| CD

10/3

One win and a nose second in two visits here and has good overall record on turf on quick ground. Makes debut for new yard and champion jockey booked so connections may well be more than hopeful.

Form: 25-0708

(1)

Sir Plato^b1²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Charlie Bennett| T: B R Millman| OR: 73| CD

9/1

Won this race 12 months ago off same mark having been second on only previous visit here. Poor form in three starts so far this term but return to this venue could spark a revival with first-time blinkers fitted.

Form: 216-009

Non-Runners

(4)

Redgrave²¹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 5

T: J Tuite J: David Probert

Forecasts

Nahham (7/4), Rock Icon (10/3), Salt Whistle Bay (7/2), Poetic Force (9/2), Redgrave (5/1), Sir Plato (9/1)

NAHHAM can be forgiven his latest run where he was posted very wide and his rider had to make a lot of use of him early on to get into contention. In this smaller field he should prove a potent force and is a confident choice. Last year's winner Sir Plato is back on the same mark and the the fitting off blinkers for the first time may energise him, while Rock Icon is interesting with De Sousa on board and goes well here. Poetic Force looks best of the rest with Salt Whistle Bay needing rain to aid his cause.