Betway Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 2m 35.98s

(2)

Fire Fighting^b⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: Andrew Breslin⁽³⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 87| CD

9/1

Always struggling after a slow start over 2m last week but that trip is beyond his best anyway and better judged on narrow win over a subsequent winner prior to that, though not easy to predict these days.

Form: 049-410

(3)

Battle Of Marathon⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: Darragh Keenan| T: J Ryan| OR: 86| CD

5/2

Left poorly placed when held up in slowly run race at Newcastle last week but better judged on three good runs over this C&D just prior to that and every chance if getting a decent pace to aim at.

Form: 222-126

(5)

Giving Glances⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽³⁾| T: A King| OR: 85| CD

4/1

Lightly raced on the AW but did win here in 2018. Pulled up when last seen over hurdles in November and stable going through a quiet spell so others make more appeal.

Form: 51125/4-

(4)

Emenem⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Paddy Bradley| T: S Dow| OR: 83| C

6/1

Consistent sort on all surfaces and ran up to form when fifth, 1L behind Battle Of Marathon here in December. Entitled to come on for that first run since August so warrants respect in a tricky finale.

Form: 241135-

(6)

Queen Constantine^h¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Gaia Boni⁽⁷⁾| T: W Jarvis| OR: 81

9/2

Excuses penultimate run when blindfold removed late and has won under this apprentice either side of that over 1m3f at Kempton. Extra furlong here should be fine and arrives here in fine fettle.

Form: 22419-1

(1)

Renardeau^p⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: George Rooke⁽⁵⁾| T: A Stronge| OR: 79| BF| CD

7/2

Won on both visits here in the space of a week in December and bumped into a massively improved performer when second since. This represents a rise in class but deserves a go in it and can't be ruled out.

Form: 159112-

Forecasts

Battle Of Marathon (5/2), Renardeau (7/2), Giving Glances (4/1), Queen Constantine (9/2), Emenem (6/1), Fire Fighting (9/1)

QUEEN CONSTANTINE had a genuine excuse for her defeat on penultimate run and took no time bouncing back to form last time and she gets the nod to make it three wins from her last four runs. Renardeau also arrives in peak form and is just preferred to Battle Of Marathon in a race where it's hard to rule many out.