19:40 Bath
Thursday 25 June 2020
All16:3517:1017:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:10
Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Handicap
- 4YO plus | Class 5 | 1m 2f 37y | Good to Firm (Firm in places) | 10 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 19:44 | Winning time: 2m 7.43s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Three-time C&D winner and while she does have more going for her than most in this field the handicapper looks to have her where he wants her given the way she ran when fourth over C&D on final start of 2019. Should be thereabouts though.
Not progressed from encouraging first couple of runs when first joining this stable last year. 12lb below last winning mark, but made a very low-key reappearance at Newbury (1m2f; good) and is extremely difficult to make a case for on that evidence.
Consistent without winning in recent months, and the form of his third to Secratario has since been franked. Runs off the same mark and has won fresh in the past so no surprise to see him go close on first run for 110 days.
Last career victory came over this C&D in May 2019 and he is 6lb below that mark now. A return to form doesn't look like it is around the corner at the moment though, and given his infrequent strike-rate (2-42) he is passed on comfortably.
Back to form at the start of the year when third at Lingfield (1m2f; standard). Modest strike-rate on turf (1-10) but is only 1lb above last winning mark and dangerous to write off if returning to the track in similar form.
Not been seen for 560 days since finishing fifth over hurdles at Taunton in December 2018. 0-10 on the level and despite showing glimpses of ability at times it is hard to know what to expect as he makes this return to action. Best watched.
Proving very frustrating to follow and failed to justify market confidence (sent off 9-4f) at Kempton (1m; standard to slow). Had been the bridesmaid three times in a row before that, and the step back up to 1m2f looks the right move.
On a long losing run and 4lb below last winning mark but wasn't completely disgraced in defeat when fourth on two separate occasions at the backend of last season. Has gone well fresh in the past (without winning) before and has place claims.
0-7 but is lightly raced on turf. Place claims on the form of her runner-up effort at Wolverhampton (1m1f; standard) in March, but failed to match that when down the field at Lingfield (1m2f; standard to slow) recently.
Connections seemingly still unsure of what his best distance is as he steps up markedly in trip from 5f to 1m2f. Makes seasonal reappearance but will need to step up on efforts last year when he showed no improvement for the switch to handicaps.
Forecasts
Al Daiha (7/2), Water's Edge (9/2), Bayston Hill (11/2), Uther Pendragon (6/1), Mystic Dragon (9/1), Princess Way (9/1), Il Sicario (10/1), Rakematiz (12/1), Test Valley (16/1), Hazamar (50/1)
After turning in some more respectable efforts recently, C&D winner Bayston Hill has place claims once again as he returns to the track for the first time in three months. Al Daiha is not one to invest into with full confidence given she took a backwards step after a string of consistent efforts in defeat. She may return to form as she steps back up in trip, but she is proving expensive to follow and others look more reliable. Princess Way looks vulnerable for win purposes so we'll advise a left field selection in the shape of RAKEMATIZ. He posted a much more encouraging effort when last seen and could pick up this open race if in the same form after a break.
- Rakematiz
- Princess Way
- Al Daiha
Prize Money
1st: £3,493.002nd: £1,040.003rd: £519.004th: £260.00
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