Aston Manor Cider Handicap

Off time: 16:41 | Winning time: 1m 3.77s

(1)

Michaels Choice⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Ryan Tate| T: W Jarvis| OR: 72| C

2/1

Course winner from this mark last October and taken time to come to hand this season. However, he's eased in grade and handled the conditions well on his only previous try on the predicted ground, so still merits consideration. Shortlisted.

Form: 18-0556

(3)

Disruptor¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Joshua Bryan⁽³⁾| T: C Wallis| OR: 67

16/1

Showed promise in a novice stakes at Newbury last July but two runs in handicaps have been poor since. Disconcerting that he's switched yards twice in a short space of time this year and looks one to have reservations about just for the time being.

Form: 5647-4

(5)

Kodiak Attack⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: S Kirk| OR: 65| D

9/4

Won a maiden at Lingfield in a gritty manner last week and not over-faced for this his handicap debut. Does need to step things up a notch but is learning with every run and has a good attitude. Can be thereabouts with an improved effort.

Form: 4431

(4)

Bluebell Time⁸⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: J F Egan| T: M S Saunders| OR: 61

5/1

Split a pair of useful types when second in a novice stakes over 5.5f at this course in April and ran with credit back here a month later. Switch to the AW didn't work out latest but the return to this course is a highly positive move. Good chance.

Form: 384-248

(2)

Society Star^p⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Angus Villiers⁽⁷⁾| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 60| D

5/2

Well backed when she made all - in first-time cheekpieces - to win a novice stakes at Thirsk last week; relished the soft ground and won with a bit in hand. Stiffer test here but given a chance on these terms and the rider's claim a further boost.

Form: 34-4731

Forecasts

Michaels Choice (2/1), Kodiak Attack (9/4), Society Star (5/2), Bluebell Time (5/1), Disruptor (16/1)

MICHAELS CHOICE might just have needed a couple of runs to tighten him up but has solid claims of coping with top weight in this company. The selection needs a strong pace and will benefit if the step up in grade exposes an weakness in Society Star if she tries to repeat the game-plan from last week's success in modest company at Thirsk. Bluebell Time has gone well at this course and represents a trainer who is highly astute when it comes to placing his sprinters. Strong market support for the Malcolm Saunders-trained filly would be dangerous to ignore; she might be the more potent threat to the selection this time. Kodiak Attack is also respected.