Bet totetrifecta At totesport.com Handicap

Off time: 19:10 | Winning time: 2m 4.14s

(1)

Michele Strogoff¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 82| D

11/4

Very consistent gelding who likes to bowl along in front. Those tactics nearly paid off over C&D 13 days ago when he was collared late on. More than likely to run his race but vulnerable against some unexposed three-year-olds.

Form: 436352

(3)

Muhaarar's Nephew²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Dane O'Neill| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 78

11/8

Showed improvement on all three starts, most recently when second to a rival now rated 20lb superior at Kempton (1m, Polytrack). Steps up to 1m2f for handicap debut and looks have a workable opening mark.

Form: 312

(5)

Maximum Effect²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: K T O'Neill| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 77| BF

3/1

Another who has improved with each of her outings. Career best when second at Wolverhampton (1m1½f, Tapeta) 20 days ago. Dam won over 1m4½f so extra yardage should be within range for a leading yard who continue in good form.

Form: 3-22

(4)

My Dear Friend^b²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 75

8/1

Best three runs have all come on artificial surfaces and, in first-time blinkers, put two poor turf efforts behind him at Wolverhampton (1m1½f, Tapeta) 20 days ago, beaten 4¾L. Blinkers retained today but needs a career best to win.

Form: 7-21985

(2)

Eddie Cochran⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Hannon| OR: 72

25/1

Another who showed improvement on first three runs (1m-1m2f) but was beaten 17½L on handicap debut at Kempton (1m, Polytrack) two months ago. Gelded since but only dropped 2lb and his mark doesn't look generous given all known form.

Form: 7537

Forecasts

Muhaarar's Nephew (11/8), Michele Strogoff (11/4), Maximum Effect (3/1), My Dear Friend (8/1), Eddie Cochran (25/1)

A fascinating little contest where a case can be made for most of them but MUHAARAR'S NEPHEW gets the nod. He ran a blinder behind the well-touted Dubai Warrior at Kempton recently and looks to have a workable opening handicap mark. Maximum Effect has done nothing wrong in three outings and rates the chief danger whilst Michele Strogoff is tough, consistent and will make a bold bid from the front.