Betway Conditions Stakes

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 1m 12.24s

(6)

Baby Steps²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: L Morris| T: D Loughnane| OR: 80| BF| CD

20/1

Won a C&D handicap from a mark of 75 in July and,while not disgraced, has found things a lot tougher since. Worth a try in race of this nature and will appreciate the drop to 6f; ratings do suggest others have stronger claims, though.

Form: 233236

(5)

Corinthia Knight⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 103| C| D

4/1

Highly effective on the AW and has kept good company since winning a Listed race in Sweden back in September. Finished behind Royal Birth here last time but might be more appreciative of today's extra distance. Sound claims at the weights.

Form: 346276

(4)

Documenting³³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: J Mitchell| T: K Frost| OR: 105| C

11/10

Marginally best in on these terms and claims would be stronger were this over another furlong. However, he's still got the speed to be heavily involved and his liking for this surface is a further bonus; lots to like.

Form: 602241

(2)

Merhoob¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Liam Keniry| T: J Ryan| OR: 96| CD

8/1

Ahead of Corinthia Knight latest and merits respect at this level. Been expensive to follow since his win at Chester in May, though, as he can often leave himself with a lot of ground to make up near the finish; not always a rewarding trait here.

Form: 903035

(3)

Royal Birth^t⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: R Kingscote| T: S C Williams| OR: 101| C| D

9/2

Has form that ties in with a few of these and holds strong claims on the pick of his efforts. Should have the race run to suit and is again likely to be thereabouts. Arguably better at Chelmsford, though.

Form: 255342

(1)

Summerghand⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Shane Gray| T: D O'Meara| OR: 100| D

11/2

Ran some blinding races in big handicaps last season and would have expanded on his tally were it not for continually encountering better handicapped horses. He's 2-5 on the AW but yet to win on Tapeta; big chance if handling the surface, though.

Form: 342440

Forecasts

Documenting (11/10), Corinthia Knight (4/1), Royal Birth (9/2), Summerghand (11/2), Merhoob (8/1), Baby Steps (20/1)

A chance could be taken on Summerghand adapting to the track at Dunstall Park and the consistent gelding deserves a change of fortune after several near misses on turf in 2019. However, both his previous AW wins were gained on the Polytrack at Chelmsford and he is reluctantly passed over due to lack of reliable Tapeta form. Royal Birth and Corinthia Knight on the other hand are hard to split and won't go down without a fight. However, both need to be held up for a late run; which is a scenario that can pave the way for DOCUMENTING setting his own tempo; and it's his proven stamina that might just catch them all out when it really matters this time.