St Andrews Bureau Handicap

Off time: 17:39 | Winning time: 1m 39.45s

(4)

Top Mission²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Marco Ghiani⁽⁷⁾| T: M Botti| OR: 82

15/2

Yet to score on turf in seven previous attempts but ran respectably when fifth at Ascot last time. Eased 1lb since then and has a squeak under young jockey who has been among the winners of late and claims 7lb.

Form: 49-2875

(6)

Eula Varner¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Charles Bishop| T: H Candy| OR: 76

5/2

Easily landed 7f Salisbury handicap in June off 9lb lower mark and ran well when second at Leicester last time off 1lb lower mark. Sure to be there or thereabouts.

Form: 33/31-42

(5)

Alnaseem^h¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: L McJannet| OR: 78

4/1

Disappointing in first two starts for Owen Burrows but did much better on debut for current yard when head runner-up here over 7f in novice event last time. Makes handicap bow here and remains unexposed, so is an interesting contender.

Form: 032

(1)

Liliofthelamplight²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 77| D

15/2

Questions to answer on turf having faded tamely at Beverley last time. Is 2-3 on AW but has beene ased 1lb and represents yard in scintillating form of late.

Form: 513415

(2)

Harbour Vision^v1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: P Mathers| T: D Shaw| OR: 70| D

11/1

First-time visor applied having run below-par last three starts on turf. All four career wins have come on AW at Chelmsford so there has to be a doubt over his effectiveness on ths surface.

Form: 145076

(3)

James Park Woods¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 76

2/1

Failed to stay 1m4f penultimate start at Chester but bounced back with solid second over C&D last time off today's mark. Gets weight form all his rivals and entitled to run well once again.

Form: 26-7362

Forecasts

James Park Woods (2/1), Eula Varner (5/2), Alnaseem (4/1), Liliofthelamplight (15/2), Top Mission (15/2), Harbour Vision (11/1)

ALNASEEM appeared to have turned over a new leaf when running very well for her new trainer here last time over 7f and doesn't look overburdened on handicap debut. She is less exposed than her five rivals and may prove good enough to get off the mark at the fourth time of asking. Eula Varner and James Park Woods are both in decent nick at present and have obvious claims, and top weight Top Mission is not out of it either with his young rider's claims helping the cause.