Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 7m 29.64s

River Of Intrigue^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽⁵⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 113| D

7/1

Useful handicap chaser when on song, stays well; early mistake didn't help his cause at Wincanton on seasonal debut last month but probably needed the run anyway. Best efforts on good and faster, so ground here not ideal either.

Form: 521-24P

Agamemmon¹³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 112| BF

15/8

Now 5lb lower than when winning a handicap at Market Rasen last year, so nothing wrong with his mark, but became very disappointing after that victory and again blew out when favourite at Market Rasen on debut for new yard last time. Risky now.

Form: 13464-7

Sutter's Mill^p¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 103| D

11/2

Turned in best effort for a while when successful at Fontwell last time, overhauling an in-form rival on the run-in; 7lb rise demands more, but ground fine and comes into this with less questions over his head than a few; clear chance of follow-up.

Form: 78P2-P1

Late Date³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 102| CD

3/1

Twice a C&D winner in soft ground last year, so these conditions ideal, and he will come on plenty for a recent outing at Kelso where he got tired late on. Looks on a workable mark at present and should be a player here.

Form: 1P41P-3

Alto Des Mottes^p⁵⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: H Hogarth| OR: 83

7/2

Have to go back to January 2017 to find last win, although almost put that right last May when a neck second at Uttoxeter; goes on most ground and trip fine, but that win record enough to make you look elsewhere today.

Form: 4-26367

Forecasts

Agamemmon (15/8), Late Date (3/1), Alto Des Mottes (7/2), Sutter's Mill (11/2), River Of Intrigue (7/1)

With River Of Intrigue probably wanting better ground, the talented but frustrating Agamemmon now disappointing too often, and Alto Des Mottes simply not winning enough times, this may look to rest between SUTTER'S MILL and Late Date. The latter has a good record here and has to be respected, but Sutter's Mill did well to beat the in-form and well treated Love The Leader at Fontwell and can follow up before the handicapper gets a grip on him.