Pommery Champagne Blaythwayt Plate Handicap

Off time: 19:40 | Winning time: 1m 43.54s

(4)

Listen To The Wind³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Cieren Fallon⁽⁷⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 85| D

5/4

Firmly back on track after struggling on her seasonal comeback (heavy ground) when making her handicap debut on better ground at Yarmouth (1m). Quickened up in the style of a decent type to win well; type to progress further despite the 7lb rise.

Form: 21-61

(3)

Shanghai Grace¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: C Hills| OR: 85

5/1

Rattled up a quick hat-trick over 7f on the AW in March (minor event/two handicaps) despite displaying some quirks. Not seen to best effect back from a break on turf (quirks again in evidence); suspicion that the handicapper may now have him.

Form: 3111D4

(5)

Reggae Runner¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 82| D

3/1

Never really fulfilled the promise of his first two runs of the season in 0-100 handicaps failing to take advantage of the ease in grade in next three starts. Particularly disappointing last time at Redcar (finished last); needs to stage a revival.

Form: 126930

(2)

Hold Still³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: W R Muir| OR: 81

7/2

Failed to land a blow at Sandown when second to a seemingly progressive winner (not having the run of the race) off a 6lb higher mark than when winning a Kempton AW (7f) nursery. Improved for first start at 1m; up 2lb more, should make presence felt.

Form: 45541-2

Non-Runners

(1)

Entertaining⁹

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: R Hannon J: Rossa Ryan

Forecasts

Listen To The Wind (5/4), Reggae Runner (3/1), Hold Still (7/2), Shanghai Grace (5/1), Entertaining (6/1)

The ground could well be the key to Listen To The Wind who sets a fair standard having won in the style of a progressive sort at Yarmouth last time. The booking of Cieren Fallon in effect cancels out the penalty gained for her win last time but Sandown second HOLD STILL may just offer a little more value. That form may not be as good as it looked at the time but William Muir’s charge didn’t get the run of the race and this may suit better. Shanghai Grace and Reggae Runner both have questions to answer with the former looking to now be in the grip of the handicapper and the latter needing to find his form after two insignificant starts.