Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 2m 29.61s

(4)

Battle Of Marathon⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: J Ryan| OR: 89| CD

4/1

Figures of 21211 in five starts over C&D since late December (behind Pirate King in first of sequence) and has only gone up 7lb for his trouble; forced to work harder for most recent success but showed good attitude.

Form: 2-12611

(5)

Pirate King²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: K Shoemark| T: C Fellowes| OR: 87| CD

5/4

Took the measure of Battle Of Marathon over C&D in December when giving him 3lb and followed up back here last month. Intersting clash in prospect again but younger horse is 2-2 over C&D and may shade it once more.

Form: 36641-1

(2)

City Tour^b³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: R Kingscote| T: Mrs L Richards| OR: 88

11/4

Comes here after back-to-back Kempton wins over 1m3f, heavily eased with next-time-out winner in second on most recent of them. Has career-high mark and two thriving rivals to contend with now but foolish to discount.

Form: 32721-1

(3)

Blowing Dixie⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: B A Curtis| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 81| D

5/1

All four career wins have come at Southwell but he did get much closer to Battle Of Marathon over this C&D eight days ago when finishing 1L third of five; do well to reverse placings.

Form: 150-123

(1)

Mr Top Hat¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Rob Hornby| T: P D Evans| OR: 78

20/1

0-10 on artificial surfaces but standout effort was over 1m2f here 12 months ago when rated 11lb higher. Recent efforts much less convincing but well worth a try over this trip.

Form: 966-388

Forecasts

Pirate King (5/4), City Tour (11/4), Battle Of Marathon (4/1), Blowing Dixie (5/1), Mr Top Hat (20/1)

It would be churlish to dismiss City Tour in haste, the back-to-back Kempton winner having had the form of his most recent win boosted since, but both Battle Of Marathon and PIRATE KING have strong claims at this venue. The former has been a model of consistency recently and showed a willingness to scrap for his latest C&D success. Charlie Fellowes' runner had his number when they met here in December however and is better off on these terms, earning him the verdict in what should be a good contest.