Empire Fighting Chance Winners Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 1m 11.17s

(5)

Lalania²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Marco Ghiani⁽³⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 67| BF| D

11/10

Took a good step forward from return from layoff when runner-up at Yarmouth (6f; good to firm) last time. Not fully exposed just yet, and so she is a major player if able to take another step forward. Drops back in trip to 5f.

Form: 0-32632

(3)

Leo Minor¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Angus Villiers⁽³⁾| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 67| D

3/1

Drops into a Class 5 for the first time ever, and he was not disgraced at Newmarket (5f; good to firm) most recently. Mark continues to slide and he could be ready to take advantage of it.

Form: 743576

(4)

It Must Be Faith¹²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: Mark Crehan| T: M Appleby| OR: 66| D

12/1

Both wins on turf have came in L'ancresse in Guernsey. Record on these shores isn't overly appealing and he hasn't been seen for 121 days so has too much to prove to recommend.

Form: 248401

(2)

Devils Roc¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Tyler Saunders| T: J G Portman| OR: 66| CD

7/2

C&D winner in May who turned in a rare below-par effort last time when ninth at Windsor (6f; good). Return to this trip/track should suit and she is worth another chance in this less competitive assignment.

Form: 130339

(6)

Jaganory^v¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Scott McCullagh| T: C Mason| OR: 54| CD

12/1

Four-time C&D winner and does tend to like it here. However, his record in Class 5 company makes minimal appeal, as does the manner of his defeat over C&D last time out where he could never land a blow.

Form: 327250

(1)

Yet Another^b⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Keelan Baker⁽⁵⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 45

66/1

Drops in trip once again after no joy over 6f the last twice. Shown no improvement at all for the switch to this sphere, and another quiet showing is likely to be in store once again.

Form: 0D5094

Forecasts

Lalania (11/10), Leo Minor (3/1), Devils Roc (7/2), It Must Be Faith (12/1), Jaganory (12/1), Yet Another (66/1)

A tricky looking heat to round off the card with Devils Roc considered given the form she has been in for most of this season. A line can be drawn through her most recent effort at Windsor last month which was a rare off day. She had previously gone close over C&D when third, and it is worth remembering she shed her maiden tag, also over this C&D back in May. This looks to rest between LALANIA and Leo Minor though. The latter is dangerous to dismiss given this is represents a drop in grade, added to the fact he is on a dangerous mark. However, narrow preference is given to the former with the promise of more to come on his third run back from a short break.