15:50 Salisbury

Wednesday 26 June 2019

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:20

Molson Coors Handicap

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 1m 40.9s

(7)

Hors De Combat²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D J Coakley| OR: 95| D

8/1

Was in good form last season over and around this trip without troubling the judges. Slowly falling in the handicap and good effort at Newbury on seasonal reappearance before below par at Epsom last time out. Good chance on best of form.

Form: 4-09050

(6)

Nicklaus¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: R L Moore| T: W J Haggas| OR: 93| C| D

4/1

Stepped up on poor reappearance run at Epsom (muddling race) to be not beaten far in valuable mile contest at Chelmsford earlier this month. Course winner as a three-year-old. Holds every chance if fit and ready this time (has had injury problems).

Form: 1301-83

(8)

Wahash²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 92| D

6/1

If his Epsom run in muddling race can be forgiven then this gelding holds every chance based on his efforts in handicaps this season. Could now be down to a winning mark. Excellent chance of going one better than last year (beaten by a nose).

Form: 093566

(5)

Power of Darkness⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 91| CD

5/2

Won this race last year by the tiniest of margins and trainer has good record in the race. Showed his well-being on his seasonal reappearance before below par last time out over 1m1f. Should be spot on today.

Form: 63/11-27

(10)

King's Slipper⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 91| D

11/1

Has run reasonably over course and distance but is a much better horse on the AW. Does like to get his nose in front but may struggle against some less exposed types.

Form: 2182-10

(2)

Family Fortunes²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Scott McCullagh⁽⁵⁾| T: M Madgwick| OR: 89| D

22/1

Remarkably consistent over a variety of trips. Does most of his winning on the AW these days but showed he still retains ability on turf last out at Windsor over an extended mile. Not out of the reckoning by any means.

Form: 221293

(9)

Swift Rose⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Harry Bentley| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 97

10/1

Has been up against it of late in Group company last time out at York and previously in Dubai. York form would not be good enough to win but respected from powerful stable and perhaps this step back in trip will help.

Form: 1-50259

(1)

Pactolus^t⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: S C Williams| OR: 87| D

9/1

Game, old-timer who rarely runs below par and wins his fair share of races. Probably needs every inch of a mile these days but will certainly be capable of taking advantage if any of the less exposed horses fail to run their race.

Form: 01-1303

(3)

George Of Hearts³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 85

15/2

Has not really been firing this term. Had some excellent form last season (mainly at Ascot). Maybe a recent change in stable will revitalise him and a check in the market may indicate how well he is thriving now with Richard Hannon.

Form: 738-008

Non-Runners

(4)

Leader Writer¹³

Weight: 9-2| Age: 7

T: D R C Elsworth J: G Mosse

Forecasts

Power of Darkness (5/2), Nicklaus (4/1), Wahash (6/1), George Of Hearts (15/2), Hors De Combat (8/1), Pactolus (9/1), Swift Rose (10/1), King's Slipper (11/1), Leader Writer (12/1), Family Fortunes (22/1)

WAHASH finished runner-up in this contest last season but can go one better based on his overall form profile. He needs to put a poor run last time at Epsom behind him but that was an unusual contest and this should be more straightforward. Nicklaus also struggled in that Epsom contest but he holds every chance based on his recent run on the AW. Last year's winner Power Of Darkness is hard to assess but has shown his well-being this season and should run his race. Best of the rest may be George Of Hearts and Pactolus.