Steve Evans Memorial Sochall Smith Chartered Accountants Handicap

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 1m 4.34s

(1)

Three Card Trick¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: J P Spencer| T: K A Ryan| OR: 76| D

4/5

Ran poorly on first two starts this year, but fitted with blinkers, he got back on track to some degree when 3¼L sixth of 8 to The Night Watch at Newmarket last time. Headgear left off now, but this is a much easier task.

Form: 419-606

(3)

Major Blue^b1¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Hollie Doyle| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 71

2/1

Best effort in handicaps when runner-up over 5f at Bath in May. Ran a stinker there last time, and blinkers quickly reached for. Bit to prove, although this may not take a great deal of winning.

Form: 613629

(2)

Packington Lane¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 67| D

5/1

Sole win came in a Beverley novice over this trip last year. Struggled in better handicaps at the end of the season, and again on his return. That may have been needed, and he is falling quickly in the weights, so can't be ignored.

Form: 58306-0

Forecasts

Three Card Trick (4/5), Major Blue (2/1), Packington Lane (5/1)

THREE CARD TRICK hasn't fired fully this season, but did at least step up last time, and while the blinkers he wore are discarded now, he appears the likeliest winner on balance. Major Blue ran badly on his latest outing, and it's no surprise to see him in headgear now. He's a threat if the blinkers work, while Packington Lane needs the others to falter, although that's certainly possible.