Eric Roberts Memorial Handicap

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 2m 36.57s

(6)

Baasem²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Dane O'Neill| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 80| D

11/4

Disappointing on handicap debut when favourite, but made amends and showed improved form to win a 1m3½f event at Lingfield (firm) last time. Softer ground to cope with here, but clearly on the upgrade.

Form: 74-761

(1)

Withoutdestination^b⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Aaron Jones⁽³⁾| T: M Botti| OR: 78| D

14/1

Can be slowly away, and raced solely on AW to date, winning over 1½m at Wolverhampton on handicap debut. Back to that form when second of 5 to Manton Warrior at Chelmsford last time, but must prove at least as good on turf to take a hand.

Form: 562142

(5)

Skerryvore³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 74

11/4

Progressing by the run, and put up a solid effort when neck second of 8 to Tatweej in a 1¼m novice at Newmarket last time. Stiffer test will suit, and on a very fair mark for handicap debut.

Form: 542

(3)

Bullion Boss^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: K Stott| T: M Dods| OR: 72

3/1

Finds winning difficult, but has run to a similar level when making the frame on his last three starts with cheekpieces fitted. 4¼L third of 10 to Funny Man in a C&D handicap last time, and has place claims with a repeat.

Form: 57-6423

(2)

Star Talent²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: K T O'Neill| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 67

8/1

Back to best upped to this trip on his lasty two starts, and unlucky not to finish closer when third of 7 to Itchingham Lofte in a maiden at Catterick last time. Won't be far away if running to that level again.

Form: 9-6843

(4)

Langholm^t¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Nathan Evans| T: D Carroll| OR: 63

11/2

Had looked only modest, but massively improved to win a pair of 1¼m handicaps at Beverley on his last two outings. Bit more to do up in trip and class, but difficult to discount in current mood.

Form: 0-08211

Forecasts

Baasem (11/4), Skerryvore (11/4), Bullion Boss (3/1), Langholm (11/2), Star Talent (8/1), Withoutdestination (14/1)

BAASEM is unproven on the ground, but the fact that he runs here suggests it's not a concern, and he is taken to follow up an impressive win at Lingfield. Handicap debutant Skerryvore has been given every chance by the assessor, and should improve further, so looks a big threat while the hat-trick seeking Langholm is really thriving, and can't be rules out for all the return to this trip is not certain to suit.