Betway Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 1m 59.33s

(3)

Masham Star³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Oliver Stammers⁽³⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 85

12/1

Hasn't beat a single rival in two runs since returning from wind surgery, very experienced five-year-old needs a dramatic turnaround on recent form but early 2019 form would be sure to see him competitive.

Form: 824000

(4)

Michele Strogoff⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Mark Crehan| T: M Appleby| OR: 85| CD

7/4

Hasn't won since the turn of the year but is impossible to knock for consistency; not disgraced in strong Lingfield contest (1m2f) five days ago and contender again.

Form: 222535

(6)

Storm Ahead^b¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Ella McCain| T: T D Easterby| OR: 79| CD

9/4

Second win of 2019 when scoring at 28-1 over C&D last month; has 5lb penalty to contend with for that success.

Form: 403381

(1)

The Throstles^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Toby Eley| T: K Frost| OR: 76| CD

8/1

Successful in a 1m2f handicap at Newbury (good-to-firm) in July but has not replicated that form in four subsequent starts. Not disgraced over 1m4f here latest.

Form: 315573

(5)

Keswick^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Georgia Dobie| T: H Main| OR: 75| CD

6/1

3-11 on the AW, connections has to wait until September for first 2019 appearance (had wind surgery in down-time) but latest 1m2f Chelmsford run very encouraging.

Form: 97-5065

(2)

International Law⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Angus Villiers| T: A Brittain| OR: 68| CD

8/1

Twice a winner here over a furlong shorter and also runs well at this trip; placed here in October and not discounted despite being 3lb 'wrong' in higher grade now.

Form: 560643

Forecasts

Michele Strogoff (7/4), Storm Ahead (9/4), Keswick (6/1), International Law (8/1), The Throstles (8/1), Masham Star (12/1)

Not a contest where anything can be ruled out with certainty. International Law is running from out of the handicap but well capable while last month's C&D scorer Storm Ahead should be in the mix despite a 5lb higher mark. Michele Strogoff is nothing if not consistent but KESWICK has dropped below his previous win-mark and his recent Chelmsford effort was his best since returning to the track for the first time in 2019 back in September. If he builds on it this could his race.