19:50 Bath

Saturday 17 August 2019

All16:4017:1517:5018:2018:5019:2019:50

Kingstone Press Apple Cider Handicap

Off time: 19:54 | Winning time: 1m 11.5s

(8)

Delagate This Lord²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: M J Attwater| OR: 74| CD

7/2

Held his form well since winning over C&D last month and respected despite the 5lb higher mark (dropped 1lb after fading at Sandown last time). Dangerous to underestimate at his favourite course despite conceding weight all round.

Form: 500124

(9)

Big Lachie⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Watson| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 73| C| D

5/1

Won over 5f here in June and been kept busy since; consistent as far as being placed is concerned but his style of running is always risky for win only unless there is a truly strong pace. The draw could have been kinder.

Form: 212274

(2)

Nigg Bay^v¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: S W Kelly| T: J F Levins| OR: 73| BF| D

4/1

Irish raider who has already paid his way with a win on these shores when victorious at Ayr (6f, good to firm) last month; also went close at Ffos Las last time out too. Likes to come from off the pace and still on a competitive mark. Player.

Form: 248412

(1)

Sweet Pursuit¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Finley Marsh⁽³⁾| T: B R Millman| OR: 72| D

10/1

Struggled in three runs since the start of last month but might have needed the outings to bring her up to speed. Not particularly well handicapped on the pick of her from though. (All previous wins over 6f.)

Form: 249-636

(4)

Madrinho¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Elisha Whittington⁽⁷⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 72| D

8/1

Finished ahead of Big Lachie when they met at Newmarket in May but posted mixed form since; better effort last time when second at Carlisle and well handicapped if he can use that as a platform. Not the most consistent though.

Form: 863682

(7)

Met By Moonlight⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: R J Hodges| OR: 70| BF| CD

14/1

Won over 7f at Lingfield in April but starts since have been below that level. The mare has a stiff test from 4lb above that winning mark and also needs to cope with the drop back in trip.

Form: 410370

(3)

Titus Secret³¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: J F Egan| T: M S Saunders| OR: 67| CD

16/1

Goes well fresh and is back on the same mark as for his win at Brighton last May; form tailed off quickly after that run so now might be the best time to catch him. Has a C&D win to his name but all bar one of his wins came in a lower grade.

Form: 12/1007-

(6)

Secret Potion⁶^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: L P Keniry| T: R Harris| OR: 60| CD

5/1

Easy winner at Leicester six days ago and highly respected under the 5lb penalty; not much between him and Big Lachie on course form when they met here in June and again likely to be thereabouts. Does need to be near his best.

Form: 855951

(5)

Princely³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: M Dwyer| T: A G Newcombe| OR: 64| BF| D

7/1

Solid run when second at Chepstow last time out (the winner franked the form at the same course on Thursday night) and scores highly for consistency since joining her current yard. Well handicapped and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Form: 685242

Forecasts

Delagate This Lord (7/2), Nigg Bay (4/1), Big Lachie (5/1), Secret Potion (5/1), Princely (7/1), Madrinho (8/1), Sweet Pursuit (10/1), Met By Moonlight (14/1), Titus Secret (16/1)

A lot of these are old rivals and there's not much to split the likes of the in-form Big Lachie, Secret Potion, who is respected despite the 5lb penalty, and the speedy DELAGATE THIS LORD, who is a live-wire on past form. However, the last named, who also won over C&D last month, could be worth persevering with as he's held his form well this season and, granted a clear passage, he can again weave his way through with a late surge. Madrinho is well handicapped and bounced back to something like his best last time too, so is another who merits serious consideration. While Irish raider Nigg Bay adds further spice to a tricky little race.