Betway Live Casino Handicap

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 1m 10.56s

(1)

Merhoob¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: J Ryan| OR: 95| BF| CD

5/2

C&D winner in December 2018 off 90 and scored over 5f at Chester last May off 98. Fair third when beaten favoruite here recently off 1lb higher and has solid claims if things pan out for him.

Form: 303553-

(5)

Gracious John³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: David Probert| T: Ian Williams| OR: 89| BF| C| D

9/1

Winner of 12-67 in a fine career but on long losing run stretching back to April 2018 when trained by David Evans. Yet to strike for current yard in five starts but good 2nd over C&D penultimate start off 1lb lower.

Form: 958927-

(3)

Savalas¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 88

4/1

Yet to win beyond 5f and has poor record of just one place from 11 attempts at this trip. Stayed on when second over 5f at Chelmsford last time but extra furlong is a big concern.

Form: 05528-2

(4)

Count Otto^b,h⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: M Dwyer| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 85| CD

7/2

Yard won this race in 2017. Infrequent winner of late but did score over 6f at Epsom last summer off 1lb hgher rating. Dual C&D winner in early 2018 but unplaced in three subsequent visits here. Not disgraced last two runs but more needed.

Form: 53957-5

(2)

Reckless Endeavour⁹^{(ex 4)}

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: Hollie Doyle| T: T D Barron| OR: 78| CD

9/4

Broke nearly two years losing sequence when scoring last week at Newcastle 6f and carried 4lb penalty here. Shrewd Yorkshire-based yard always respected on forays south and has strong clams if none the worse for recent exertions.

Form: 67243-1

Forecasts

Reckless Endeavour (9/4), Merhoob (5/2), Count Otto (7/2), Savalas (4/1), Gracious John (9/1)

Witn no obvious front-runner in this small field things could get qute tactical, but getting weight from all his rivals northern raider RECKLESS ENDEAVOUR may well be just about good enough to follow up a recent Newcastle success under his 4lb penalty. There should be little between Gracious John and Merhoob on recent course running and either could pop up and steal it if things go their way. Count Otto needs to raise his game a touch, while Savalas remains a doubt over this trip having thus far has been a specialist 5f performer.