15:40 Windsor

Monday 7 October 2019

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

Ivor Laws Memorial Handicap

Off time: 15:47 | Winning time: 2m 35.02s

(1)

Crystal King³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 93

13/2

Picked up where he had left off the previous year when winning on the AW in April but has looked an increasingly tricky customer since then. Very lit-up in first-time visor last time when nearly slipping the field at Haydock; may try similar tactics.

Form: 1-10380

(8)

Autumn War³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 85

28/1

Dual winner last year (minor events) whose yet to really find his form in handicaps this year; well held last time (soft ground). Handicapper appears unwilling to cut him any slack, conditions and this mark contrive to give him a tough task.

Form: 4-45426

(6)

Dragons Voice³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Watson| T: D Menuisier| OR: 85| CD

16/1

Three-time course winner with his latest victory coming over this trip on heavy ground; not lived up to that level of form since returning from a break. 5lb above his last winning mark, hopes pinned on a return to this C&D to spark a revival.

Form: 061244

(5)

Chesterfield³¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: Rob Hornby| T: J W Mullins| OR: 83

66/1

More than useful hurdler/chaser who hasn't been seen on the Flat since 2013; returns from a fair absence. Nicely weighted on his hurdling form (rated 148 over hurdles/143 chase); market may guide as to the level of expectations on his return.

Form: 131044/

(2)

Torcello⁸^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Megan Nicholls⁽³⁾| T: S Lycett| OR: 78

2/1

Followed up his Newbury win in good style at Epsom despite having to run from out of the weights displaying his liking for soft/heavy ground. Made all on both occasions; still looks well treated despite a 5lb penalty; leading contender, hard to beat.

Form: 090711

(9)

Escapability¹⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A King| OR: 77

9/1

Well backed when last seen here over 1m2f under much quicker conditions he's shown some useful form but has still to win a race. Looks as though there are races to be won with him off this sort of mark; does have to overcome a fair absence.

Form: 672-433

(10)

Lightly Squeeze^h³²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Tom Marquand| T: H Fry| OR: 77

6/1

Switched to the Flat after running two sound enough races over hurdles for this yard after coming from Phillip Hide. Proved as good as ever overcoming an eight month absence to make a winning Flat debut; 6lb higher he must enter calculations.

Form: 1746/8-1

(7)

Fannie By Gaslight⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: David Egan| T: M R Channon| OR: 76| BF

7/1

Having shaped like a winner in waiting at Ayr he duly delivered on that promise to score at Chester over 1m2f in testing conditions. Shaped as though still in good form when failing to follow up under a penalty, race may have come too soon.

Form: 734314

(3)

Top Power²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 79

11/2

Only a few miles on the clock (yet to win a race); got back on track last time although not suited by the test of speed on good ground over 1m2f (Chester). Yet to be tested under the prevailing conditions but hard to rule out given his background.

Form: 5-2404

(4)

Sandyman³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: L Morris| T: P & O Cole| OR: 78

22/1

One of only two 3yo's in the field who looks to have some room for progress (this will his fifth start); won a minor event at Lingfield over 1m2f in August. Handed a stiff looking handicap mark which rather tempers enthusiasm for his chance.

Form: 0-515

Forecasts

Torcello (2/1), Top Power (11/2), Lightly Squeeze (6/1), Crystal King (13/2), Fannie By Gaslight (7/1), Escapability (9/1), Dragons Voice (16/1), Sandyman (22/1), Autumn War (28/1), Chesterfield (66/1)

Positive tactics and testing ground have suited TORCELLO in his last two starts over 1m2f winning by an easy 6L last time under the excellent Megan Nicholls who takes the ride again today; a hat-trick looks a distinct possibility. Crystal King probably ran better than his final finishing position last time and he’ll have a chance if his quirks can be kept in check. Lightly Squeeze returned from a fair layoff to win comfortably at Haydock returned to the Flat; he’s got scope for improvement along with Top Power a lightly-raced 3yo, a group that have dominated the race in the past. Chesterfield is worth noting in the market on his return to the level, looking well weighted on his jumping form.