Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 2m 40.20s

(5)

Arabic Culture¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 82| CD

5/4

Runner-up five times in six starts since winning over C&D in March. Kept on well behind Big Daddy Kane over 1¼m at Newcastle last time, and leading claims back up in trip here.

Form: 217222

(2)

Gabrials Boy⁸⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 84

8/1

Won a Ripon maiden (1¼m, good) in August, and looked fairly treated ahead of handicap bow at Haydock (1¾m, good/soft) the following month, only to flop. Needs to bounce back, but yard in form, and still unexposed.

Form: 4310

(1)

Singing Sheriff⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Liam Keniry| T: E Walker| OR: 76| D

9/4

Demoted after passing post first over C&D in April off 8lb lower, and back to form when strong-finishing head second of 14 to Regal Director at Kempton (1m3f) last time. Up 4lb for that, but return to this trip will help, and respected.

Form: 1D0402

(3)

Production⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: A King| OR: 79

9/1

Winner of a 1¼m handicap at Redcar in June for Richard Hannon, but hasn't been getting home over hurdles for new yard. May do better back in this sphere, but others more convincing in conditions.

Form: 855145

(4)

Matewan^p¹¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: Ian Williams| OR: 75| D

4/1

Won twice last year on turf, and back to winning ways over this trip at Ripon in August, albeit hanging right. Retained for 18,000 gns at HIT sales since, and holds every chance having gone up just 2lb for that win.

Form: 11-0261

Forecasts

Arabic Culture (5/4), Singing Sheriff (9/4), Matewan (4/1), Gabrials Boy (8/1), Production (9/1)

Singing Sheriff will appreciate the return to 1½m after a fast-finishing second over shorter last time, and he is shortlisted, but the same remark applies to C&D winner ARABIC CULTURE after a solid second at Newcastle, and this consistent sort can enhance his good record on the surface. Matewan looked a hard ride when winning at Ripon in September, but hasn't been unduly punished for that, and would be a threat if coping with Tapeta on his first attempt.