Kevin Hall & Pat Boakes Memorial Handicap

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 3m 8.51s

Land Of Oz⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Ryan Tate| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 71| D

4/7

The archetypal Sir Mark Prescott handicapper seeks a three timer having improved enormously since going up in trip winning races from 1m6f to 2m1½f. 4lb well in again under latest 6lb penalty and likely got at least one more win in him.

Form: 08-4111

Young Merlin^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 75| D

8/1

Failed to perform at all behind Land Of Oz at Yarmouth but showed true worth with first career score over this trip in determined fashion at Sandown latest. 5lb rise for short-head score raises the stakes plenty.

Form: 55-6361

Victoriano^b⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 66| D

8/1

Consistent and busy three-year-old gained second 1m6f success when winning by 4½L at Bath latest. 6lb hike puts him in unknown territory handicap wise but not the sort to be phased.

Form: 332251

Luck Of Clover³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 65

6/1

Remains a maiden but placed in all five handicaps to date from 1m4f to 2m; all off today's handicap mark. Again every chance to make the frame but vulnerable to Land Of Oz who is surely still better handicapped than him.

Form: 432232

Whistler Bowl²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: David Egan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 64| BF

7/1

Backed into 16/1 and landed the odds on handicap debut at Lingfield over 1m3½f two starts back. Slightly disappointing next over same trip at Windsor when 7lb higher but perhaps this longer trip can attract a bounce back.

Form: 087-14

Forecasts

Land Of Oz (4/7), Luck Of Clover (6/1), Whistler Bowl (7/1), Victoriano (8/1), Young Merlin (8/1)

Sir Mark Prescott is in great form and has a host of improving stayers defying the handicapper by constantly turning out under penalties before reassessment and LAND OF OZ is a classic example who can defy this 6lb penalty given he will actually be up 10lb when his new mark kicks in. Young Merlin underperformed behind the selection penultimately but after gaining his first win latest he could now prove the sternest opposition. Luck Of Clover can continue her five-race placed streak.