Greene King Free Trade Handicap

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 2m 57.53s

(2)

Houlton^p,t²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Stefano Cherchi⁽⁷⁾| T: M Botti| OR: 78| CD

5/2

Both wins have come here around this sort of trip and now 8lb higher than April C&D win. Has matched that level of form the last twice and likely to go close for in form yard.

Form: 241732

(1)

Early Summer²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: James Doyle| T: H Morrison| OR: 77

3/1

Faced a stiff task at Goodwood following strong staying on Lingfield 2m4f breakthrough win. Sharp drop in trip a surprise and while she remains competitively handicapped a small field over this trip rates a concern.

Form: 25-0610

(5)

El Borracho^h¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Levi Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: S Dow| OR: 74

16/1

1lb higher than June win over 1m3.5f and this is his furthest distance contested. Failed to convince over 1m5f previously and last three runs have been poor. Others preferred.

Form: 451557

(4)

Done Deal²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 72| C

9/2

Debut winner over 1m here in July 2018 but struggled in the main since. Last two handicap runs have been well below par and patience is running out. Remains best watched.

Form: 664-547

(3)

Mister Chiang^b¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 75| C| D

7/4

Scored at both Pontefract and Bath last month over 1m4f and this distance. Not disgraced next start at this level but disappointed at Ripon where soft ground was a clear excuse. Likely to bounce back.

Form: 531156

Forecasts

Mister Chiang (7/4), Houlton (5/2), Early Summer (3/1), Done Deal (9/2), El Borracho (16/1)

MISTER CHIANG has only raced on the AW once previously, when scoring over a mile here. He likes to front run and in a small field his rivals wouldn't want to give him too much rope as the potentially best handicapped runner. Houlton also likes this track, is very much in form and rates a likely danger. A slow tempo over a shorter trip would be an obvious concern for Early Summer but there's more to come.