AFH Commercial & General Handicap

Off time: 17:03 | Winning time: 2m 6.25s

(6)

Target Zone⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: G Mosse| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 92

12/1

Made uninspiring turf debut and ran keenly when 15L fourth in 1m2f Listed contest on the Rowley Mile when last seen. Looks harshly weighted in this company and tough ask from 6lb out of the handicap.

Form: 5-21354

(3)

Qarasu⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Adam J McNamara| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 85| D

7/4

Off the mark at the third attempt with a ready success in 1m2f Windsor novice contest. Form of that race looks modest but given a lenient mark to exploit off handicap debut. Interesting contender.

Form: 2-31

(2)

Durrell⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 84| D

5/2

Has been running well since switching to this yard and broke his maiden tag at the fourth attempt when winning 1m2f Chelmsford maiden. Had Ironclad in behind him that day but that rival is 3lb better off for this. Commands respect.

Form: 32-21

(5)

Cardano^p²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Spencer| T: Ian Williams| OR: 83| CD

4/1

Consistent and progressive this season, winning three of his last four starts including C&D handicap latest. 4lb rise seems fair but no reason to suggest why he cannot step up again for an in-form trainer.

Form: 831121

(4)

Ironclad³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P Cosgrave| T: H Palmer| OR: 81| D

9/2

Second behind Durrell at Chelmsford on his penultimate start but went one place better when winning 1m2f Beverley maiden. Has some work to do with other rivals but looks to be getting his act together. Not discounted on handicap debut.

Form: 3521

Non-Runners

(1)

Emirates Knight²²

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: R Varian J: Dane O'Neill

Forecasts

Qarasu (7/4), Durrell (5/2), Cardano (4/1), Ironclad (9/2), Emirates Knight (7/1), Target Zone (12/1)

Cases can be made for the majority of horses in this small but select field, but the progressive CARDANO is the preference to continue his fine run of form. His short-head verdict didn't reflect the manner of his victory over his rivals over C&D and his experience could give him an advantage over some unexposed rivals. Qarasu was eye-catching when dispatching modest rivals at Windsor on his latest start and warrants respect, but maybe one for the future while Ironclad could run a respectable race off a very lenient mark compared to others in the race.