Take The Reins Handicap

Off time: 16:31 | Winning time: 2m 36.12s

(1)

Agent Basterfield⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 80| D

2/7

Son of Raven's Pass, much-improved when making all at a decent clip and coming right away for easy handicap success at Brighton (1m4f, good to firm; 6-5f) in April. Gets 6lb from main rival, may be hard to topple.

Form: 046-221

(3)

Natty Night²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S De Sousa| T: W R Muir| OR: 72

5/2

Nathaniel colt is a five-race maiden, well held last time in handicap at Windsor and could prove vulnerable against this pair.

Form: 044-56

Non-Runners

(2)

Universal Order¹⁸

Weight: 9-13| Age: 3

T: D M Simcock J: J P Spencer

Forecasts

Agent Basterfield (2/7), Universal Order (7/4), Natty Night (5/2)

The Andrew Balding-trained AGENT BASTERFIELD was nothing of not convincing in his Brighton win and could be hard to hold now, given he'll also have no concerns setting his own fractions in front. Universal Order looks the danger after a reappearance success at Brighton and cannot be counted out going handicapping, but it might be asking a lot to give 6lb to the selection. Natty Night is unlikely to shed the maiden tag here.