16:50 Leicester

Thursday 18 July 2019

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:25

Kube Exhibition Centre Handicap

Off time: 16:52 | Winning time: 2m 33.14s

(5)

Affluence^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: E J Walsh| T: Martin Smith| OR: 61

6/1

Won at Lingfield in March, and again at Yarmouth (1¼m) earlier this month, albeit with little to spare. Needs serious consideration, and although unproven at the trip on the Flat, he looks worth a try.

Form: 214801

(1)

Esspeegee^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁵⁾| T: A Bailey| OR: 60| D

11/1

Can be a handful and below form earlier in the season, but built on a more encouraging run when third of 11 in a 1½m handicap at Epsom last time, and remains on the same mark, so can have no excuses.

Form: 780053

(2)

Sauchiehall Street^p1⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: Noel Williams| OR: 59| D

13/2

Four AW wins for Sylvester Kirk and went close at Lingfield in March on second start for current yard. Bettered previous turf form when fourth at Lingfield last time despite not seeing out 2m, and drop in trip will help. Cheekpieces tried now.

Form: 52-5394

(10)

Albert Boy^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 59| CD

7/1

Regularly makes the frame but looks handicapped to the hilt as a result, and ran below form at Doncaster last time. Should bounce back, but opposable for win purposes.

Form: 37-2237

(12)

Principia^b1,e/s1,h1¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: R Ffrench| T: A West| OR: 58

20/1

Bettered poor previous efforts when third of 5 to Chicago Doll over 1¼m here last time, but posed no win threat. Gets a host of first-time headgear here, which hardly inspires confidence.

Form: 426-083

(8)

Jetstream¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Harrison Shaw⁽⁵⁾| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 58

6/1

Disappointed in five starts on the AW over the winter for Kerry Lee, but shaped better on debut for new yard when fifth at Doncaster late last month. Claims if building on that, but worrying that usual tongue tie has been left off.

Form: 6076-85

(9)

Becky Sharp^b²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J R Boyle| OR: 51| CD

5/1

Built on promise of penultimate run when springing a 25/1 shock over C&D last time, and despite a penalty, she's still much lower in the handicap than at the start of the year. Big chance if blinkers continue to perk her up.

Form: 70-0841

(6)

Kennerton Green¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: David Egan| T: Mrs L Pearce| OR: 48

40/1

Just a modicum of promise last year for Denis Quinn, and failed to do any better on handicap debut/first start for new yard at Brighton recently.

Form: 705-0

(11)

Mistress Nellie²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: S W Kelly| T: W Stone| OR: 48| BF

6/1

Remains a maiden after 19 Flat runs. Creditable third of 11 in a 1m3½f handicap at Lingfield last month, and has solid place claims on the balance of her form, but record makes her opposable for win purposes.

Form: 302223

(4)

Melabi¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: Kieran Schofield⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 46| D

14/1

On a long losing run. Ran one of his better races when head second of 10 to Strategic at Musselburgh last time, and enters the equation on that form, but he's not certain to back it up given inconsistent nature.

Form: 4760-52

(7)

Little Choosey^p,t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 8-7| J: J P Fahy| T: S R Bowring| OR: 46

33/1

Stays this far, but more reliable over shorter trips, so remains to be seen whether she can repeat her latest creditable fourth of 14 to Cape Cyclone over am here. Percentage call is to oppose her.

Form: 0-08504

(3)

Threediamondrings⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: N Mackay| T: M D I Usher| OR: 45| D

40/1

On a losing run stretching back to 2016, when gaining his sole success. Refused to race on final 2018 start, and below form on his return, so hard to go overboard about his chances.

Form: 9334R-8

Forecasts

Becky Sharp (5/1), Affluence (6/1), Mistress Nellie (6/1), Jetstream (6/1), Sauchiehall Street (13/2), Albert Boy (7/1), Esspeegee (11/1), Melabi (14/1), Principia (20/1), Little Choosey (33/1), Threediamondrings (40/1), Kennerton Green (40/1)

AFFLUENCE can be forgiven a couple of modest runs under an inexperienced claimer, and bounced back to win at Yarmouth last time. He has improved as his stamina has been tested, and looks worth a try at this trip on the evidence of that victory. Becky Sharp was also revived to win last time, and she remains well treated despite a penalty, so is feared, while the consistent Mistress Nellie shouldn't be too far away.