Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Handicap

Off time: 19:40 | Winning time: 2m 31.04s

(5)

Just Hubert⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: W R Muir| OR: 80

5/4

Getting better with each start this season and didn't run badly when bumping into one in third behind the exciting Logician at Newbury (1m4f; good to firm) last week. Nothing of that class in this contest and he holds solid claims off the same mark.

Form: 219-643

(1)

Ideological³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 80

11/1

Been underwhelmingly poor since he has returned to the track this season after he looked fairly talented on the AW in 2018. Failed to beat a single rival home at Kempton (1m; standard to slow) and now steps up to 1m4f off a career low-mark.

Form: 213-840

(2)

Manton Warrior¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 68

11/4

Shaped like a stayer when shedding his maiden tag at Chelmsford (1m6f; standard) recently. Drop back to 1m4f poses a question mark, and he still has to prove himself on turf. Remains on the shortlist off just a 4lb higher mark though.

Form: 086-871

(4)

Agravain³^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 59| D

9/2

Placed bitterly disappointing effort over C&D firmly behind him when scoring in comfortable style at Beverley (1m4f; good to firm) on Friday. Provided he copes with the quick turnaround he is a genuine player once again as he bids for win no. four.

Form: 791141

(6)

Euro Implosion²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: David Egan| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 62

6/1

Posted a couple of sound efforts either side of disappointing when sent off 3-1F at Hamilton (1m1f; soft). Steps up to 1m4f after shaping with promise over 1m3f last time and he holds solid place claims off a 1lb lower mark.

Form: 760-354

Non-Runners

(3)

Calling The Wind³⁷

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: Sir Mark Prescott J: L Morris

Forecasts

Just Hubert (5/4), Manton Warrior (11/4), Agravain (9/2), Euro Implosion (6/1), Calling The Wind (8/1), Ideological (11/1)

There is a fair degree of faith required to fancy CALLING THE WIND after the way he ran at Musselburgh on his seasonal/turf debut when tailed off. There was clearly something amiss with him though, and he has been given a month to get over whatever was bothering him. He boasted a progressive profile last season on the AW and may be able to get back on track. Just Hubert is next best after running well in defeat behind an exciting colt of John Gosden's in a better class race than this at Newbury last week, while Agravain must also be respected when in such a rich vein of form. He is likely to make a bold bid from the front, as he did when scoring at Beverley recently.