Mercia Handicap

Off time: 20:50 | Winning time: 1m 12.19s

(6)

Alicia Darcy^b⁷^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Adam J McNamara| T: A Watson| OR: 65| D

7/2

Back to her best since joining this yard and fitted with blinkers and now looking for hat-trick after wins on the AW at Lingfield and fast ground at Brighton. 3lb well in despite her penalty and will be hard to beat.

Form: 065211

(1)

Cotubanama¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Scott McCullagh⁽⁵⁾| T: M R Channon| OR: 69| D

12/1

Salisbury winner last term at this trip but aside form a second at Chepstow in May has generally been struggling this year and takes on some rivals who arrive at the top of their game.

Form: 024587

(2)

Montalvan^p⁴^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 62| BF| D

8/15

Deservedly of the mark after plenty of placed efforts when making all at Ripon last Saturday. This is tougher and 2lb "wrong" but that was the form of an improved performer and can't be dismissed lightly.

Form: 974221

(3)

Awa Bomba¹¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Joey Haynes| T: A W Carroll| OR: 66| D

16/1

Off the mark at Southwell in March in emphatic fashion but 8lb higher now on turf and off the track since, so bit to prove regarding fitness and ability on turf.

Form: 989-031

(7)

One One Seven²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: Cam Hardie| T: A Brittain| OR: 51

14/1

Two wins in a busy campaign as a juvenile. Not quite firing since creditable comeback run at Nottingham in April though reportedly lame last time so that can be forgiven.

Form: 378575

Non-Runners

(4)

The Great Phoenix³⁴¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: Miss Gay Kelleway J: B A Curtis

(5)

Remission⁸⁴

Weight: 8-2| Age: 3

T: D Shaw J: P Mathers

Forecasts

Montalvan (8/15), Alicia Darcy (7/2), The Great Phoenix (10/1), Cotubanama (12/1), One One Seven (14/1), Awa Bomba (16/1), Remission (50/1)

This should rest between two of the last time out winners and the well treated ALICIA DARCY, who has been transformed for blinkers with Archie Watson is preferred to Montalvan. Awa Bomba may be best of the rest though has it to prove on turf.