Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 2m 37.49s

(1)

Lopes Dancer¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: B A Curtis| T: B Ellison| OR: 73| D

7/1

Now back on the same mark as when successful at Newcastle back in September, but recent form has been well below par and he ran poorly here in November, his only try on the surface; bit to prove at present.

Form: 1364-34

(6)

Temur Khan⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: A W Carroll| OR: 71| CD

9/1

On the plus side, has run here three times and won twice, so clearly acts well on the surface, but form has taken an awful turn and he's finished last on five of his last six starts. Can't be backed in current frame of mind, despite a tempting mark.

Form: 9758-56

(4)

Potenza¹³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: S W Kelly| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 72

11/2

Yet to race on this surface and this will be his first start since October, so has questions to answer, but was steadily progressive last year and might have more to offer this year. Watch market for a clue is the advice.

Form: 115322-

(5)

Mukha Magic^e/s⁸^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: George Rooke⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 66| CD

5/6

Came with a steady run to beat the odds-on Brooklyn Boy over C&D last time out, the new headgear doing the trick, but has won before only to disappoint when turned out quickly. Obvious under a penalty then, but no good thing.

Form: 2144-31

(2)

Contingency Fee^p,h²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Grace McEntee⁽⁵⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 65| CD

13/2

Easy winner over C&D in November but has found life harder since then. Only 2lb higher than that win now but others come into this in much better form, and his chance is not obvious.

Form: 43-3836

(3)

Country'n'western¹⁰⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Selma Grage⁽⁷⁾| T: R Eddery| OR: 65| C| D

20/1

Winner of one of his five starts at the track and came good at the back end of last year at Nottingham, but not seen out since disappointing here in November (reportedly bled) and has no great record fresh. Best watched today.

Form: 706610-

Forecasts

Mukha Magic (5/6), Potenza (11/2), Contingency Fee (13/2), Lopes Dancer (7/1), Temur Khan (9/1), Country'n'western (20/1)

This is a very winnable event and many will take one look at Mukha Magic's win here last week and decide a repeat will be good enough. However, he has won easily before only to be turned out quickly and disappoint, and at the likely short price, might be worth taking on. It's not impossible Contingency Fee could take them from start to finish but his recent form isn't that great, and a chance is taken on POTENZA, who hasn't been seen out since September but has the potential to improve again for his new yard, who haven't had him long.