15:10 Brighton

Monday 16 September 2019

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40

Valerie Whitmarsh Handicap

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 2m 36.96s

(3)

King Athelstan^b²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: H Crouch| T: G & J Moore| OR: 54| C

5/2

Goes well here and no issues about the trip or predicted state of the ground. He's also back on a winning mark, so reasonable to suggest top weight might not deter him in this company. Well worth a betting check.

Form: 5-63075

(1)

It's How We Roll^p¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Scott McCullagh⁽⁵⁾| T: J L Spearing| OR: 54

3/1

Holding his form and unlucky not to add to his tally after two near misses during the last month or so; however, he's creeping back up the weights as a result so needs the pieces to fit together. The rider knows him well, which boosts the interest.

Form: 321522

(11)

Brother In Arms¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: A W Carroll| OR: 50

5/1

Won an amateur riders race at Goodwood on his penultimate start, so respected on that form; but held from this mark after a slow start here last time and now has something to prove. Stamina to prove over the trip too.

Form: 205613

(8)

Sweet Nature²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Nicola Currie| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 47

10/1

Mixed form of late and it has to be a concern that the filly is 0-6 on turf; and been well held on each of her three previous visits to Brighton. Another whose stamina is open to scrutiny over the trip.

Form: 486305

(2)

Windsorlot¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: George Downing| T: A W Carroll| OR: 45

12/1

The trainer's record at this course is increasingly impressive and this fellow would also be dangerous to ignore on the best of his past form. However, recent efforts suggest the gelding is on the slide these days. Risky for win only this time.

Form: 704955

(6)

Just Right^p1⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: J L Flint| OR: 45

20/1

Still a maiden and only snippets of form that give the filly hope of altering the status in a positive manner. The fitting of cheekpieces might help but this season's form has been modest at best.

Form: 37-6666

(9)

Oyster Card^v¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 45| D

40/1

Dual winner on the Tapeta last spring and lightly raced since; recent return at Bath was uninspiring and the gelding looks one to have reservations about just now. An AW campaign probably beckons after this.

Form: 065-009

(7)

Millie May³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽⁵⁾| T: J C Fox| OR: 45| D

12/1

0-8 on turf (1-7 on the AW) and her form has been regressive of late; drops in trip after finding 2m stretching her to the limit the last twice. Plenty to prove even in such a low-key event as this.

Form: 044870

(4)

Winter Snowdrop²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Sophie Ralston⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss J Feilden| OR: 45

6/1

Missed her juvenile season but she ran reasonably well when tried here before and it's notable that she's dropped to her lowest career mark. She's well bred considering her low key profile and has hinted that her stamina will hold out; player.

Form: 444435

(5)

Interrogator^p,t¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Joey Haynes| T: A Bailey| OR: 45

28/1

Very little to get enthusiastic about form his four previous starts and was well held in a selling handicap last time. Big improvement needed and breeding doesn't really suggest middle distances will suit. Others make more appeal.

Form: 8770

Non-Runners

(10)

Passing Clouds¹³

Weight: 8-13| Age: 4

T: M J Attwater J: Kieren Fox

Forecasts

King Athelstan (5/2), It's How We Roll (3/1), Brother In Arms (5/1), Winter Snowdrop (6/1), Sweet Nature (10/1), Millie May (12/1), Windsorlot (12/1), Passing Clouds (14/1), Just Right (20/1), Interrogator (28/1), Oyster Card (40/1)

This could be within the reach of WINTER SNOWDROP who is on a very workable mark and could sneak under the radar due to her maiden status The filly goes well for Sophie Ralston and could be good value in what is a very weak race. Passing Clouds has a similar profile and is another to bear in mind if the betting market backs up his claims, while King Athelstan and Its How We Roll are more obvious candidates for anyone looking to cover a couple of corners with a saver.