DG Executive Cars Handicap

Off time: 19:40 | Winning time: 1m 46.61s

(1)

Michele Strogoff¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Theodore Ladd| T: M Appleby| OR: 86| D

13/2

Placed twice from five starts here and likely to run his race here from the front in his usual fashion. Had everything go his way when winning off a 1lb lower mark; looks vulnerable to anything less exposed especially the younger brigade.

Form: 347434

(2)

Elysium Dream^v1¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 78

12/1

7f winner last year off a 6lb higher mark but not in the same form of late having made a bright start to the year. Tried in blinkers last time now in a visor (first-time), yet to convince that 1m is her trip (0-7); others more persuasive.

Form: 65-5246

(3)

Juanito Chico^p1,t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: S C Williams| OR: 76| CD

9/2

Easy C&D win earlier in the year having dropped to an attractive mark and made the most of it scoring by 5L. Hit a dip after that but looks close to blossoming again of late (ran a sound race at York last time); new headgear combination appears.

Form: 210644

(5)

Lethal Missile⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: H Crouch| T: C G Cox| OR: 80| D

3/1

Going the right way this year having scored twice of late in Windsor 1m handicaps, looking as though he could handle an increased mark. Up 7lb for his last win; wouldn't want the ground to become too firm (trainer said ground was a worry last time).

Form: 540-211

(4)

Chance⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: J Mitchell| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 72

11/10

Modest form prior to his handicap debut he made the most of a lenient mark to score at Chepstow (7f, good/firm) in a weak contest. Well backed he wasn't extended to win in good style; up 6lb he looks ready to conquer this mark and move on from here.

Form: 56-21

Forecasts

Chance (11/10), Lethal Missile (3/1), Juanito Chico (9/2), Michele Strogoff (13/2), Elysium Dream (12/1)

In two runnings of this event the three-year-olds have really held the whip hand recording a 1-2 in each of the past two seasons. This time around they have another two progressive candidates with the narrow vote going to Chepstow winner CHANCE his trainer (Simon Crisford) taking this event with a handicap newcomer in 2017 and the 6lb rise for that visually impressive win looks fair. Lethal Missile is another improving type who looks to have more progress within him although he will need to deliver another career best. Michele Strogoff should set a sound pace but he’s in the handicapper’s grasp with a resurgent Juanito Chico the likely dangers to the youngsters.