Squirrel Handicap

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 2m 50.24s

(3)

Spanish Archer^h³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 98

5/2

Dual 1m2f winner, the more recent coming two starts ago at Doncaster (good to soft), when 4lb lower. Below that level on soft ground (1m3½f) at Haydock last time, but can't rule him out.

Form: 122-013

(1)

Indianapolis^p⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: P Mulrennan| T: J G Given| OR: 97| D

9/2

Sole turf win came on good, and he has yet to race on ground slower than that. 2lb higher than that Ascot success. Held in a class 2 last time out, so more needed here from just 1lb lower.

Form: 268418

(4)

Spirit Ridge¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: K Shoemark| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 96| CD

7/4

C&D winner on this card last year (good), on his handicap debut. 11lb higher today. Bounced back to form at Newmarket last time. Up 6lb for that ½L second (front pair 9L clear). Claims if able to reproduce that form on first try on testing ground.

Form: 121-502

(2)

Getchagetchagetcha^p1¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 100| CD

11/4

Both wins have been on good to soft, the more recent coming over C&D in conditions company in June. Appeared to handle heavy ground well enough in Listed Goodwood event last time (hung right under pressure). Cheekpieces could help. Interesting.

Form: 7-26184

Forecasts

Spirit Ridge (7/4), Spanish Archer (5/2), Getchagetchagetcha (11/4), Indianapolis (9/2)

A potentially trappy contest, as none of the quartet can be confidently ruled out. Preference is just for GETCHAGETCHAGETCHA, who is at least proven both over C&D and on testing ground. He is also well treated at the weight here, given his age allowance. Spirit Ridge could be a big danger if handling deep ground, and perhaps both Spanish Archer and Indianapolis each have just a little bit more to prove.