Signature Capital Handicap

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 3m 30.53s

(5)

Brasca²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 84

3/1

Recorded a second career win when scoring on seasonal reappearance at Chepstow (1m4f, good to firm) but came up short on handicap debut at Goodwood one month later; stamina to prove over 2m.

Form: 21-15

(2)

Grenadier Guard¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 83

1/1

Closely related to the top-class stayer Order Of St George; shown a strong level of form (improving) on all three starts to date, keeping on well behind a useful Godolphin 3yo at Pontefract (1m4f, good) latest; of major interest on handicap debut.

Form: 412

(3)

Arthur Pendragon^b1¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Jason Watson| T: B J Meehan| OR: 76

14/1

Hasn't progressed since finishing a respectable third to Sir Ron Priestley at Ripon (1m4f, good) in April; blinkers are applied as he seeks to get back on the right track.

Form: 4375

(4)

Luck Of Clover¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: M Dwyer| T: A M Balding| OR: 65

9/1

A consistent, yet fairly exposed seven-race maiden; eased very marginally in the weights since finishing third on Tapeta at Wolverhampton (1m4f) earlier this month; a real surprise if she's good enough to take this contest.

Form: 443223

(1)

Champagne Marengo^p⁷^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽⁵⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 58| D

9/2

On an upward curve posting back-to-back wins at Catterick (2m, soft) and Chelmsford (1m6f); carries a 6lb penalty for that latest neck win (beat a six-race maiden); clearly on a good handicap mark, and the 5lb claim of his rider is also a boost.

Form: 006211

Forecasts

Grenadier Guard (1/1), Brasca (3/1), Champagne Marengo (9/2), Luck Of Clover (9/1), Arthur Pendragon (14/1)

The improving Champagne Marengo is lowly weighted and would make plenty of appeal but for the presence of the Mark Johnston-trained GRENADIER GUARD in the line-up. The selection faced a tough task giving 6lb to the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Dubai Tradition at Pontefract (1m4f) last month. By Australia and closely related to the top-class stayer Order Of St George he should relish stepping up in trip on handicap debut. He can take this race in his stride before heading onto much loftier assignments in the weeks and months ahead.