16:40 Brighton

Thursday 17 October 2019

All13:2513:5514:3015:0515:3516:1016:40

Jingle & Mingle Christmas Party Nights Handicap

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 1m 5.47s

(1)

Harrogate^b³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J R Boyle| OR: 77| D

12/1

Held his own in decent races earlier in the year and has the speed to cope with the drop back to 5f; might want a firmer surface to best utilise his early speed, though, and could be a sitting duck near the finish if the ground goes heavy all over.

Form: 651635

(5)

The Lamplighter^p,t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Megan Nicholls⁽³⁾| T: George Baker| OR: 73

5/1

Has form to reverse with a couple of these and there has to be a suspicion that he'll need every single yard of this trip. Others look more convincing despite a solid effort on soft ground at Bath last month (2lb higher now.)

Form: 605172

(10)

Spanish Star¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: George Rooke⁽⁷⁾| T: P R Chamings| OR: 73| D

6/1

Edged out The Lamplighter under this rider in an apprentices race at Bath last month and has to merit an interest given the manner in which he rallied close home that day. Has put together a sequence before but is 4lb above the last winning mark.

Form: 345781

(2)

Pettochside¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 9-4| J: K T O'Neill| T: J J Bridger| OR: 72| D

9/2

Won on heavy ground at Goodwood last month and run well in defeat twice since. Good effort from out of the handicap in much better race last time but will find this company more to his liking. Well worth considering if the market vibes are positive.

Form: 754130

(8)

Hassaad¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 72| CD

4/1

Won on debut for her current trainer and also put in a decent effort when outgunned by an improving type on the AW latest; more to come now handicapping and her initial mark isn't too daunting to overcome.

Form: 312

(4)

King Crimson¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: J Butler| OR: 70| CD

28/1

His last course win was over C&D in June and that form is reliable enough for the gelding to make the shortlist. He's won here on good to soft in the past but a heavy going description might scupper any plans these days. Again the betting can help.

Form: 144276

(3)

Major Pusey⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: H Crouch| T: J Gallagher| OR: 66| BF| D

5/2

Was a good second behind a resurgent rival (who runs in the first race here) earlier in the month but the gelding lacks consistency and he's been unable to exploit a tumbling handicap mark for some time now. Likes heavy but not one to wade in with.

Form: 576782

(9)

Michaels Choice^b²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: David Probert| T: W Jarvis| OR: 66

10/1

His latest start received a form boost on Wednesday but the gelding has generally been running as if the handicapper is in charge this season. He's been edged down 1lb since his last run but might just need more assistance.

Form: 556454

Non-Runners

(6)

Wiley Post³⁵

Weight: 9-9| Age: 6

T: A W Carroll J: Scott McCullagh

(7)

Good Luck Fox³³

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: R Hannon J: Rossa Ryan

Forecasts

Major Pusey (5/2), Hassaad (4/1), Pettochside (9/2), The Lamplighter (5/1), Spanish Star (6/1), Wiley Post (7/1), Michaels Choice (10/1), Harrogate (12/1), Good Luck Fox (14/1), King Crimson (28/1)

A churned up surface because of heavy ground wouldn't be ideal for many of this lot and only a speculative nomination goes the way of the veteran PETTOCHSIDE, who is proven on a testing surface and might just have the race run to suit. King Crimson would have a serious chance if the rain stays away, as would old rivals Wily Post, Spanish Star, and The Lamplighter, who complete the shortlist. Michaels Choice is a less obvious candidate to keep a close eye on in the betting market.