15:45 Bath

Saturday 14 September 2019

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

SDS Water Management Handicap

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 1m 8.92s

(7)

Walk On Walter^h⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Nicola Currie| T: J G Portman| OR: 91| D

7/2

Started season off in wonderful fashion, but rose up the handicap as a result. Subsequently been a bit quiet in his last few starts, and has work to do to reverse the form with Count Otto after their run at Ascot (6f; good to firm) last week.

Form: 139550

(1)

Count Otto^h⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Angus Villiers⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 90| D

5/2

Ran an admirable race when fifth in a Class 2 at Ascot (6f; good to firm) last week, which came after a pair of solid efforts in defeat. This is a slight drop in grade, and he is on the shortlist.

Form: 106225

(5)

Little Boy Blue^h¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Ryan Tate| T: W G M Turner| OR: 90| CD

5/1

Represented himself well since returned to Class 3 company the last thrice, making the frame on each occasion. Was only beaten a half-length into third at Epsom (6f; good to firm), and should be bang there again off 1lb lower mark.

Form: 415243

(2)

Jumira Bridge^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: William Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 90

9/2

Still 2lb above mark he scored off at Sandown (5f; good to firm) in July. Been running okay in defeat since, including when a narrow fifth at that track last time out. Definite player.

Form: 140455

(4)

Mountain Peak⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Liam Keniry| T: E Walker| OR: 86| D

13/2

Bit inconsistent but he ran a lot better than his finishing position would suggest at Ascot (5f; good to firm) last week. This is easier, and he should be able to threaten. 3lb above last winning mark.

Form: 091509

(3)

Shamshon¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: David Egan| T: S C Williams| OR: 82| D

14/1

Showed he still retains all his old enthusiasm for the game when successful at Newmarket (5f; good) three starts back. Not as good in two subsequent starts in a higher grade, but should get competitive back in a Class 3.

Form: 333107

(6)

Oeil De Tigre²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-11| J: Laura Coughlan⁽⁷⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 81| CD

10/1

Never won off a mark as high as this in the past, but this two-time C&D winner must be respected for connections given the form he is currently in. Drops back to 5f after not being disgraced in fourth at Windsor (6; good to firm).

Form: 043134

Forecasts

Count Otto (5/2), Walk On Walter (7/2), Jumira Bridge (9/2), Little Boy Blue (5/1), Mountain Peak (13/2), Oeil De Tigre (10/1), Shamshon (14/1)

This is a competitive sprint handicap, with previous C&D winner Little Boy Blue respected after holding his own in this company in decent contests of late, including when a narrow loser at Epsom most recently. COUNT OTTO was just ahead of him in that race, and followed up that run with another fine effort when fifth in a competitive Class 2 handicap at Ascot last week. The claim of his apprentice jockey is another positive and he can return to winning ways as he drops slightly in grade. Jumira Bridge is a consistent sort and was unlucky when last seen, but still managed to post a good effort to finish a close-up fifth at Sandown and can prove the main danger to the selection.