Now TV Handicap

Off time: 20:04 | Winning time: 1m 41.55s

(3)

Reeves^p²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Raul Da Silva| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 87

7/4

Winless in four starts this year but has contested some very competitive handicaps such as the Esher handicap at Sandown. Very respectable third last time at Musselburgh (7f; good to soft) and this represents a drop in grade.

Form: 21-2523

(1)

Kodiac Pride²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: W J Haggas| OR: 83

1/1

Successful on turf debut when scoring at Beverley (7f; good to soft) last month. That was a fair contest and he now goes handicapping off a fair mark in a race where most are much more exposed. Every possibility of making it 2-2 this year.

Form: 25-1

(2)

Water Diviner²⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 81| D

9/1

Makes seasonal debut after signing 2018 campaign off by winning in fine style at Brighton (1m; good). 3lb higher mark to contend with and will have to be race-fit if wanting to go close. Place claims at best.

Form: 325221-

(5)

Sophosc²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: J Tuite| OR: 78| D

10/1

More exposed than most in the line-up and ran as his odds suggested when sent off at 40-1 at Goodwood (1m1f; good) recently and finishing a well-beaten fifth. 2lb lower now but vulnerable to improving types.

Form: 21115-5

(4)

Hawridge Storm¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P J McDonald| T: B R Millman| OR: 77

14/1

Bitterly disappointing on handicap debut/seasonal reappearance last time when making AW debut at Kempton (7f; standard to slow). Dropped 6lb but impossible to fancy on the back of that effort and others hold far more obvious claims.

Form: 745-0

Forecasts

Kodiac Pride (1/1), Reeves (7/4), Water Diviner (9/1), Sophosc (10/1), Hawridge Storm (14/1)

The claims of the Robert Cowell-trained Reeves are there for all to see. He is a tough and consistent handicapper who should go very close, with this race representing his easiest assignment for some time. However, the yard still aren't firing on all cylinders and that is what makes KODIAC PRIDE a far more appealing prospect for the in-form William Haggas stable who have had 15 winners from 47 runners in the last fortnight. He is by far the one with the most potential in the line-up and makes his handicap debut off a fair enough mark. The emphasis could be on stamina which brings Sophosc into this as an each-way player who we know has form over further.