Chartwell Anniversary (Handicap)

Off time: 16:36 | Winning time: 1m 41.63s

(1)

War Glory¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 98| D

5/1

Went up 5lb for a win at Chelmsford at the start of this month and then ran a solid race in defeat in the Royal Hunt Cup last week; this is a more realistic target but it's still a stiff test under top weight (currently on a career highest mark.)

Form: 612510

(6)

Waarif⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: R P Downey| T: D O'Meara| OR: 96| C| D

3/1

Winner over 1m2f here in May and retained his form to finish a close second over a mile at Ayr last week; versatile regarding the ground and only 1lb above his previous highest winning mark. Should be thereabouts if running to form.

Form: 769152

(4)

Bless Him^h²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: P Cosgrave| T: D M Simcock| OR: 93| D

10/3

His win in the 2017 Britannia Stakes casts a long shadow and the gelding has struggled to find his level since. He's approaching a competitive mark again but he's been below par in both starts this term (has a bit to find with War Glory).

Form: 6937-74

(5)

Kodiac Harbour³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Megan Nicholls⁽³⁾| T: Paul George| OR: 87| D

3/1

Very consistent so far and ran on strongly to win on his handicap debut last month; he's up 4lb for that effort but still has scope to improve. The rider's 3lb claim also helps. Worth a betting check.

Form: 2121

(3)

Spirit Warning²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 88| D

7/2

A model of consistency who has only finished outside of the first two across the line on 3 occasions from 10 previous starts; he's won 3 on the AW but is yet to win on turf and has another 4lb to carry this time. The figures overpower this time .

Form: 114221

Non-Runners

(2)

Salute The Soldier⁴²

Weight: 9-12| Age: 4

T: C G Cox J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Waarif (3/1), Kodiac Harbour (3/1), Bless Him (10/3), Spirit Warning (7/2), War Glory (5/1), Salute The Soldier (5/1)

A tough one to call but WAARIF is holding his form well and is very close to a previous winning mark. The gelding also goes well at this track and is versatile regarding the ground. Bless Him has a bit to find with the selection on these terms, whereas Salute The Soldier needs to show more than he did last time out; so it might be down to the lightly raced - but consistent - Kodiac Harbour to give Waarif the most to worry about. Spirit Warning is respected but has to carry another 4lb after winning on the AW at Chelmsford three weeks ago; the fact he's 0-5 on turf is a further persuasive factor in looking elsewhere on this occasion.