21:10 Bath

Wednesday 26 June 2019

All18:1018:4019:1019:4020:1020:4021:10

Happy Birthday Paul Handicap

Off time: 21:13 | Winning time: 1m 9.48s

(8)

Little Boy Blue^h⁸^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Ryan While⁽⁵⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 82| CD

11/4

Won over this C&D last year and has been successful twice at this track in 2019. Was back in the winner's enclosure last time at Brighton (6f) where he scored by 4l in an impressive performance. Could follow up with another victory. One to consider.

Form: 633341

(7)

The Daley Express^p1¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: F Norton| T: R Harris| OR: 86| BF| CD

10/1

A C&D winner who also was victorious at this track over 5f back in April. He has followed that up with some poor showings so is just 2lb higher than his last winning mark now. Cheek pieces on for first time. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 68-2160

(11)

Helvetian²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: David Probert| T: M R Channon| OR: 85| CD

7/1

Was a C&D winner as a two-year-old but has only won once since then on turf. Has not been in contention at the finish on his last three starts but is now down in grade and is off a 2lb lower mark than last win so commands respect.

Form: 595-956

(3)

Beyond Equal¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Rob Hornby| T: W S Kittow| OR: 83| D

11/2

Won three times last season but has yet to hit the frame in four attempts so far in 2019. Could only finish fifth of nine last time at Nottingham (6f, heavy). Has to bounce back from his disappointing form this season. Others preferred.

Form: 11-7405

(5)

Red Alert^p³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁵⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 81| CD

20/1

Was successful over this C&D two starts back. Struggling to follow up last time at Windsor (6f) as he was last of seven runners. His best form has come at this course though so a return to a happy hunting ground will help his chances.

Form: 439017

(4)

He'zanarab³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 86| D

11/1

Lighty-raced gelding who has had just the seven starts. Started his career with two wins from first three runs. Has struggled this season, including latest where he had just one horse behind him in a 14 runner field at Newmarket (6f). Hard to fancy.

Form: 310-880

(12)

Iconic Knight¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: L P Keniry| T: E Walker| OR: 78

8/1

Went close to opening win of the season last time at Goodwood (6f) where he was third of 10 runners, beaten by just ¾l. He did not get get a clear inside the final 2f, therefore, it could have been much better. Remains off the same so big player.

Form: 120-703

(6)

Dark Shadow²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: H Crouch| T: C G Cox| OR: 85| CD

6/1

Been in fantastic form this season where after victory over this C&D and success at Windsor (5f), he is now on for the hat-trick here. Gone up 4lb for latest win but he is open to further improvement. Leading contender.

Form: 197-011

(2)

Blaine¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: T E Whelan| T: B Barr| OR: 77| D

16/1

Seeking his first win since May 2017 but his recent effort at Goodwood (6f) was his best in a long time as he finished fourth of 10, just ½l behind the winner. Remains off the same mark so capable of being in the mix here.

Form: 05U-804

(1)

Global Academy⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Toby Eley⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 77

25/1

Yet to score in eight attempts on turf. Has been running well on the AW this season where he has hit the frame on two occasions. Needs to bounce back from being last of nine last time at Chelmsford (5f). Others preferred.

Form: 44-4339

(9)

Major Blue⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: L Morris| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 72| D

14/1

Lightly-raced gelding who broke his maiden at Wolverhampton (6f) on the AW back in February. Went close last time to recording first success on turf when second of eight at this course over 5f. Open to improvement. Each-way claims.

Form: 61362

(10)

Champion Brogie²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Nicola Currie| T: J S Moore| OR: 70| D

25/1

Was third of seven over this C&D last month on opening start of the season. Has been disappointing since then, including last time when fifth of seven at Windsor (6f). Needs to bounce back. Others preferred.

Form: 52-5375

Forecasts

Little Boy Blue (11/4), Beyond Equal (11/2), Dark Shadow (6/1), Helvetian (7/1), Iconic Knight (8/1), The Daley Express (10/1), He'zanarab (11/1), Major Blue (14/1), Blaine (16/1), Red Alert (20/1), Global Academy (25/1), Champion Brogie (25/1)

DARK SHADOW is bidding for a hat-trick here and he can defy his 4lb rise to complete it. The sprinter is open to further improvement and is now going in the right direction after being gelded at the back of last year. Iconic Knight is the leading threat as he was unfortunate not to win last time after finding trouble inside the closing 2f, while Little Blue Boy should be in the mix here again where he often runs well.