starsports.bet Handicap

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 1m 10.33s

(5)

Swiss Pride^b²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 76| D

9/2

Excuses need to be made for his disappointing turf effort at Bath last time (didn't look straightforward under pressure); not a patch on his two AW starts this year. Win came without blinkers over 6f (run poorly in them twice on turf); doubts remain.

Form: 026-127

(4)

Pink Flamingo³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Harry Bentley| T: M J Attwater| OR: 75| C| D

4/1

Defends an unbeaten record (2-2) for this yard showing that she could handle this track when winning over 5f last time returning to turf. Handicapper sets her a stiffer test now (up 6lb for last win) back up in trip; wouldn't want any further rain.

Form: 321711

(1)

Key To Power¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Watson| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 70

5/2

Ran poorly last time over 6f at Chester although prior to that she had turned in some creditable efforts. Does look vulnerable to improving sorts though despite the handicapper showing her some mercy; trip not certain to suit.

Form: 343348

(2)

Vikivaki³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 67

10/1

A repeat of her narrow defeat last May at Ascot (second start) would put her in with a chance but she hardly looks to have improved from that in four runs since. Both outings this year have looked below-par; needs to find more.

Form: 429-30

(3)

Leopardina³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D M Simcock| OR: 65

7/4

Makes her first start in handicaps having looked an improved model for a five-month break at Redcar (6f, good) last time. Only beaten a neck the form was given a solid look by the subsequent win of the third; looks nicely weighted.

Form: 55-2

Forecasts

Leopardina (7/4), Key To Power (5/2), Pink Flamingo (4/1), Swiss Pride (9/2), Vikivaki (10/1)

Only a small field and Richard Hughes who has taken this event for the past two years (once with Jack Taylor; runs in the 3.05) will be looking to his Swiss Pride to complete the hat-trick although his turf form so far looks below-par and he’s yet to really prove himself on this surface. Pink Flamingo appears to be in rude health, but she is presented with a far harder task than in her last two wins and the ground might be a little softer than she likes. Both Vikivaki and Key To Power have something to prove and the handicap newcomer LEOPARDINA gets a good opportunity to open her account after her sound second at Redcar with her mark not looking too onerous.