16:10 Bath
Wednesday 22 July 2020
All13:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10
Signs Express Classified Stakes
- 3YO plus  |  Class 6  |  1m 2f 37y  |  Firm  |  10 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 16:11Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 2m 8.2s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Drop back in trip didn't exactly look to suit on his seasonal debut when he finished eighth at this track over 1m5f recently after previously showing promise over 2m. May have needed the run but needs to bounce back now.
Second in this grade at Kempton (1m4f; standard to slow) in February, but out of form since. Drops back markedly in trip after running poorly over 2m1f at this track last month. Not one to be recommending given risks attached.
Produced two low-key runs since returning to action this season, but he did win in this grade around this time last year. That was his sole victory from 19 career starts. Plenty of questions to answer.
On a long losing run since breakthrough win at Yarmouth in July 2018. Not disgraced when fifth behind Songkran over C&D recently and that rival franked the form last week so there is substance to the form. Not guaranteed to be in the same form.
Her second at Kempton (1m3f; standard to slow) would give her place claims but unable to recapture that form in three starts since. Only beat the one rival home when 12th of 13 at Kempton (1m3f; standard to slow) last month. Hard to fancy.
In consistent form on the AW at Wolverhampton at the start of the year, but form has tailed off recently and he was well held last week at Kempton (1m; standard to slow). Record of 0-15 on turf also advises caution.
Second in this grade in December but out of form in four subsequent starts and has plenty to prove after being well-beaten in a handicap over 1m at this track last week. Record now stands at 0-14 and others look more enticing.
Got squeezed for room at a crucial stage of the race when she finished fifth at Lingfield (1m2f; standard to slow) on first try at this trip. Place claims at best if able to show the form she did when runner-up at Wolverhampton in January.
Still winless after nine starts but has got his act together the last twice, finishing second on each occasion. Strong form most recently when runner-up to the in-form Pleasure Gardens at Catterick (1m6f; good). Drops back to 1m2f. Major player.
This is easier than the contest she finished fifth in last time out. Drops back marginally in trip but needs to show a fair bit more before she can be seriously recommended. Never better than mid-division on sole turf run two starts ago.
Forecasts
Grimsthorpe Castle (5/2), Ho Leng Lui (7/2), Johni Boxit (4/1), Essgee Nics (15/2), Guardiola (12/1), Flying Focus (14/1), Birkie Queen (16/1), Margie's Choice (16/1), Pike Corner Cross (25/1), Sir Magnum (25/1)
A week on from finishing second behind the rapidly improving Pleasure Gardens, GRIMSTHORPE CASTLE us highly unlikely to bump into anything as well treated in this race and can make the most of this ease in class to finally shed his maiden tag at the 10th attempt. The biggest danger may be Birkie Queen who herself is a 14-race maiden, but has bits and pieces of form which would entitle her to finish in the money. Another one to consider is the lightly raced Ho Leng Lui who contested a stronger race than this at the start of the month. The drop in grade/trip should suit her and it would be a disappointment were she unable to grab a place.
- Grimsthorpe Castle
- Birkie Queen
- Ho Leng Lui
Prize Money
1st: £2,782.002nd: £828.003rd: £414.004th: £207.00
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