18:50 Ffos Las

Monday 29 July 2019

All17:1017:4518:1518:5019:2520:0020:30

Universal Hardware Supplies Handicap

Off time: 18:54 | Winning time: 1m 7.46s

(4)

Handytalk^v1²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: B R Millman| OR: 76| D

5/2

Soft-ground winner over 6f at Salisbury last month and not disgraced at Bath or Epsom since in better races. First-time visor on here and may go well with Oisin Murphy back in the plate.

Form: 023157

(6)

Blaine²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: T E Whelan| T: B Barr| OR: 76| D

9/1

No win since 2017 and has been given a chance by the handicapper recently, with definite signs at Goodwood (6f, good to soft) and Bath (5½f, good) in two of previous three starts that he can take advantage soon.

Form: U-80425

(5)

Nigg Bay^v²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Donagh O'Connor⁽³⁾| T: J F Levins| OR: 72| D

2/1

Running consistently this term and rewarded when stepped back up to 6f at Ayr recently with a narrow win, getting up late on. Yard in fine form (3-5 lately) and should be in the firing line despite 3lb rise.

Form: 4-24841

(7)

Smokey Lane^v1¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: J F Egan| T: P D Evans| OR: 70| D

4/1

Experienced gelding, unable to get off the mark in six starts for new handler, though recent 1L fourth of eight at Salisbury (6f, firm; 9-2) suggested it won't be too long.

Form: 973094

(1)

Secondo^v¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Stephens| OR: 63| D

9/2

Has been busy this summer and landed a 6f Chepstow handicap on good to firm 11 days ago. Raised 5lb for his troubles, which demands a bit more but potentially finds a good race despite being up in grade.

Form: 633861

(2)

Englishman¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: William Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: J M Bradley| OR: 62| D

8/1

Twice a winner in May last year over 6f at Windsor and Goodwood but out of luck since and record now reads 7-51. Has dropped to a tempting mark and step in the right direction with Lingfield third last time. In-form claimer makes plenty difference.

Form: 005503

Non-Runners

(3)

Kinglami¹⁷

Weight: 9-3| Age: 10

T: J G M O'Shea J: Rossa Ryan

Forecasts

Nigg Bay (2/1), Handytalk (5/2), Smokey Lane (4/1), Secondo (9/2), Kinglami (11/2), Englishman (8/1), Blaine (9/1)

Ruling any of this lot out would be churlish and an open heat should ensue. Last time out winners Nigg Bay and Secondo are entitled to remain very competitive while Blaine is showing signs he'll soon capitalise on a reduced handicap mark. Handytalk is running well and gets a visor to try and improve his hopes but ENGLISHMAN's recent Lingfield third was his best showing of the season and he could take this from his current mark, with the 7lb claim of in-form William Carver further aiding his bid.