Royal Sussex Regiment Handicap

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 3m 30.63s

(4)

What A Welcome²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Joey Haynes| T: P R Chamings| OR: 96| D

3/1

Prolific last year when winning six races and only narrowly denied by King's Advice here in May (1¾m) off 2lb higher. Ran well when third at Ascot last time, and is capable of a big run in this slightly easier race.

Form: 824083

(5)

Platitude⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: P J Dobbs| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 95| C

15/2

Finished behind What A Welcome here on his return, and while he was just in front of that rival at Newmarket last time, the balance of form suggests that he will do well to do so again, despite his declining mark.

Form: 8058-69

(6)

Nakeeta⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: R Winston| T: Mrs L C Jewell| OR: 93

33/1

2017 Ebor winner and fifth in that year's Melbourne Cup for Ian Jardine. Yet to win since that success, and was well held on debut for new yard at Ascot last month. Has an awful lot to prove after that abject display.

Form: 700-870

(2)

Themaxwecan¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 98| D

1/1

Gained reward for his efforts when returning to winning ways in the Brown Jack Stakes at Ascot on penultimate start, and ran at least as well when runner-up at Newmarket last time. Has a solid profile, and looks sure to give his running once more.

Form: 928512

(3)

Seinesational^v³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: W J Knight| OR: 85| D

4/1

Won over 1¾m at Sandown in June, but looked well suited by the greater test of stamina when runner-up to Timoshenko in the Goodwood Stakes over the extended 2½m here last time. Ought to be thereabouts despite the drop in trip.

Form: 163162

(1)

Smart Champion³¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Dylan Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: D M Simcock| OR: 84

20/1

Won a weak 1¾m maiden at Catterick for Simon Crisford last year, and left that yard for 23,000 gns over a year ago after one more outing. Should progress, but lengthy absence is a definite concern.

Form: 6/14-

Forecasts

Themaxwecan (1/1), What A Welcome (3/1), Seinesational (4/1), Platitude (15/2), Smart Champion (20/1), Nakeeta (33/1)

WHAT A WELCOME was back on song after a rare blip when third in the Shergar Cup Stayers last time despite not settling fully for a strange jockey. Reunited with regular pilot Joey Haynes, he's taken to return to winning form from a reduced mark, at the main expense of Seinesational, who was better than ever when second to Timoshenko here at the end of July. Themaxwecan is probably still progressing, and is sure to go well given his solid record.