Betway Handicap

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 2m 6.15s

(3)

Greatest Journey⁴³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 97| BF| C

16/1

Scored over 1m at this track in the early stages of his career. Been off the track for 436 days since failing to deliver on expectations of the market when only fifth of six at Chelmsford (1m; standard). Market best guide to his chances.

Form: 207V15/

(6)

El Ghazwani^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: H Palmer| OR: 96| CD

4/7

The one to beat as he goes in pursuit of a hat-trick after taking his record over C&D to 4-6. 7lb higher than for the latest of those victories, but yard are going great guns and most of his opposition have questions to answer.

Form: 56561-1

(1)

Ours Puissant^b1²⁹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: H Palmer| OR: 90

12/1

Intriguing profile, but he was tailed-off on his sole start on these shores when ninth in the Esher Cup at Sandown (1m; good to firm) 10 months ago. Held Group form abroad to his name prior to that. Market check advised.

Form: 0122/9-

(5)

Smile A Mile³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 89

6/1

Bounced back to form when bumping into one at Southwell (1m; standard) on his first run this year. Has stamina to prove (never gone beyond 1m1f and well-beaten on both attempts at that distance). Should be there if building on recent effort though.

Form: 30055-2

(4)

Mr Scaramanga²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: S Dow| OR: 85| C| D

7/2

Two-time course winner (over 1m) who was narrowly behind Normal Norman over this C&D last time out. Still 3lb above last winning mark though which did come on turf, and he is vulnerable to more progressive sorts.

Form: 73535-4

Non-Runners

(2)

Normal Norman²

Weight: 8-9| Age: 6

T: J Ryan J: Darragh Keenan

Forecasts

El Ghazwani (4/7), Mr Scaramanga (7/2), Smile A Mile (6/1), Normal Norman (7/1), Ours Puissant (12/1), Greatest Journey (16/1)

Another small-field affair, with Ours Puissant one of the unknown quantities as he is upped to 1m2f for the first time on his return from a 295-day absence. Some of his back form would make him of interest in what looks an uncompetitive affair, and he is one of the more lightly raced sorts. The in-form Hugo Palmer look to hold all the aces with their C&D specialist EL GHAZWANI the selection. He mowed down his opposition from off the pace in impressive fashion last time out, & he can add to his outstanding record at this venue. Smile A Mile can make the frame once again after he got himself back on track when runner-up to an inform rival last month.