Betway Handicap

Off time: 15:33 | Winning time: 58.62s

(3)

Hareem Queen¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 90| CD

13/8

Won a maiden and a handicap over C&D in October/November, but is now 12lb above that winning mark. Has run at least as well as ever in defeat the last twice, but possible she's now in the handicapper's grip.

Form: 44112-3

(1)

Zylan⁸^{(ex 4)}

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 84| CD

9/2

Right back in the groove dropped to 6f here of late, winning a slightly lesser handicap over C&D last time with a little in hand. Has a penalty to shoulder in a deeper contest now, and needs a bit more to follow up.

Form: 6360-21

(4)

Airshow⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 87| BF| CD

5/1

Back to form when winning a similar-quality handicap over 5f here on New Year's Day. Subsequently finished last of 4 to Zylan over C&D, and while not disgraced there, he needs to leave the bare form behind.

Form: 3046-14

(2)

Samovar^b¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Jonathan Fisher⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 80| CD

10/1

In decent form over the minimum trip this winter, with his quirks largely on the back-burner. Not as effective at this trip, however, and his habit of starting slowly has crept back in on last two outings.

Form: 135-263

(5)

National Anthem¹⁰^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: P Mulrennan| T: D H Brown| OR: 75| CD

9/4

Well held on Fibresand debut in November, but has improved markedly on both starts here since, winning a C&D novice and a handicap over 5f last week. Can defy a penalty for latter stylish success, and likely best yet to come.

Form: 48/11

Forecasts

Hareem Queen (13/8), National Anthem (9/4), Zylan (9/2), Airshow (5/1), Samovar (10/1)

A few with positive profiles on the surface, but NATIONAL ANTHEM is unexposed on the surface, and followed up his C&D novice win with an impressive success on his handicap debut last time. He's improving rapidly, and can defy a penalty. Hareem Queen is 12lb higher than for her handicap win here in November, but still ought to follow the selection home, with Zylan readily holding Airshow on latest running, and best of the rest.