Help For Heroes & Royal British Legion Classified Claiming Stakes

Off time: 16:43 | Winning time: 2m 8.58s

(1)

First Flight²³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 73| D

7/4

In a different league to these opponents once upon a time, but has displayed some very worrying traits of late (refused to race at Beverley on his penultimate start); 2L third to Autretot at Newcastle (1m2f) latest; plenty good enough on that form.

Form: 034-7R3

(5)

Highwayman^h¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: D Thompson| OR: 45

66/1

Prefers cut underfoot and has masses to find with the likes of First Flight and Anif on these terms; finished 14th of 15 in a Class 6 handicap at Carlisle (1m1f, good to firm) a fortnight ago.

Form: 685280

(3)

Anif¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: P J McDonald| T: P D Evans| OR: 72

4/6

Placed on three occasions since winning over an extended 1m1f at Wolverhampton (Class 5 handicap) in March; much more straightforward than First Flight; ought to prove tough to beat if able to replicate his 1m2f Newbury third to Prevent.

Form: 413237

(4)

Royal Liberty⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: K Stott| T: G A Harker| OR: 46

40/1

Without a win since his juvenile days (6f, Brighton) and was beaten out of sight in a selling handicap at Thirsk (1m) on his penultimate start; faces a tough task at these weights.

Form: 750-800

(2)

Slaithwaite^p⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 52

14/1

Nine-race maiden; had shown a modicum of improvement in his more recent starts until disappointing at Beverley earlier in the week; beaten 2L when finishing third to Myklachi in a Ripon (1m2f, soft) selling handicap in June.

Form: 0-00339

Forecasts

Anif (4/6), First Flight (7/4), Slaithwaite (14/1), Royal Liberty (40/1), Highwayman (66/1)

Essentially a match race with Slaithwaite, Royal Liberty and Highwayman all facing very tough tasks at these weights. With the capable but also equally risky First Flight as an opponent, the only safe advice can be to side with the much more reliable ANIF who makes the long journey north from Monmouthshire for David Evans (his sole runner on the card).