18:20 Chelmsford City

Saturday 28 September 2019

All17:2017:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:20

Extra Places At totesport.com Handicap

Off time: 18:25 | Winning time: 2m 1.81s

(6)

Bin Battuta^p²¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: H Crouch| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 105| D

4/1

The yard had a strong hand for this race at the five-day stage and the betting market will be informative regarding which Godolphin horse makes the most appeal. This fellow was third in a Group 3 in Dubai when last seen and edges our vote this time.

Form: 812/133

(9)

Star Of Bengal^p³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 105| CD

9/4

Won a maiden at Wolverhampton last November and followed up with a smooth effort over C&D on handicap debut on his return in May; highly tried since and found out in Windsor's Group 3 Winter Hill Stakes last time. Claims back at this level, though.

Form: 731-185

(5)

Commander Cole¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: P Cosgrave| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 102| D

4/1

Yard's second string but capable enough to win from 95 at Doncaster last August; only seen once this season when third over C&D earlier this month (was the lesser fancied horse from the stable that day too). Can go well now fitter. Chance.

Form: 65147-3

(7)

Bartholomeu Dias¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: P J McDonald| T: C Hills| OR: 97

12/1

Won a Class 2 handicap on the Tapeta at Newcastle in April but nowhere near as effective in four starts on turf since. Also possible this trip is just shy of his best these days.

Form: 214004

(4)

Star Of Southwold³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 96| CD

9/2

Good effort when defeating the likes of Glory Awaits (runs in the 5.20 race) over 1m here last month but this requires a good deal more; he's a previous C&D winner but that was gained against much weaker opposition. Needs a lot to go his way.

Form: 412141

(1)

Breath Caught⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: D M Simcock| OR: 93

14/1

Won his only start on the AW up to press, so respected for his ability to cope with synthetics but he's been struggling to make an impact since and faces a stern challenge in this company. He's on a handy mark for future reference, though.

Form: 5-84377

(3)

El Ghazwani^t⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Nicola Currie| T: H Palmer| OR: 90| D

20/1

Landed a brace on the Polytrack at Lingfield in the spring but been regressive since. Rated a much better horse on the AW than on turf and handles this surface well; but still has a bit to find with the top few on the racecard.

Form: 113775

(2)

King's Slipper²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: C G Cox| OR: 89

25/1

Won a Class 4 handicap over 1m at Kempton in April and created the impression he's got more to offer; but subsequent efforts suggest he's got a lot to prove at this level and, given the way he hung under pressure last time, he's easy to oppose now.

Form: 82-1050

(8)

Highbrow^p1⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-3| J: M Dwyer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 87

20/1

Not won since landing a 1m novice stakes at Kempton in December 2017 and struggled with the handicapper after being handed an initial rating of 103; he's made very little impact in four starts this term and is another who has a stern test ahead.

Form: 30-4746

Forecasts

Star Of Bengal (9/4), Bin Battuta (4/1), Commander Cole (4/1), Star Of Southwold (9/2), Bartholomeu Dias (12/1), Breath Caught (14/1), Highbrow (20/1), El Ghazwani (20/1), King's Slipper (25/1)

Godophin's talent pool runs deep and although BIN BATTUTA is probably well down the pecking order, it has to be notable that he's still being persevered with as a five-year-old. He's been gelded since he was last seen out (in a Group 3 in Dubai in February) but, given that his trainer had a number of options for this at the final declaration stage, it seems safe to assume he's been found a winnable race in which to make his belated seasonal debut. Commander Cole, a stablemate of Bin Battuta, and the relatively light raced Star Of Bengal won't make this easy for the selection, while Star Of Southwold could also be good value to make the frame.