Play 4 To Win At Betway Handicap

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 2m 3.72s

(3)

Harrovian^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁷⁾| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 101| D

7/1

Flopped in the John Smith's Cup at York, but not hard to forgive that, and had regained the winning thread in gutsy fashion by a head at Doncaster on his previous start. Good claimer booked, and easy to see him bouncing back.

Form: 317-210

(2)

Good Birthday^p1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 95| D

4/1

Below form on all three starts this season, although only 1L behind Harrovian in John Smith's Cup at York last time. Cheekpieces tried now, and this does represent an easier task, but not easy to be confident.

Form: 513-300

(5)

Emissary³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Harry Bentley| T: H Palmer| OR: 98

15/8

Tailed off in the Derby, that run clearly coming too soon in his career, but had looked an excellent prospect when second to Khalifa Sat at Goodwood after winning his only 2-y-o start, and worth chancing to get his career back on track.

Form: 1-20

(1)

Cognac¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 93

6/4

Won over 1m at Kempton on handicap debut, and ran at least as well when third of 7 to Nugget in similar event here last time. Not certain to stay on breeding, but claims if doing so.

Form: 312-13

Non-Runners

(4)

Data Protection¹⁴

Weight: 9-2| Age: 5

T: W R Muir J: Nicola Currie

Forecasts

Cognac (6/4), Emissary (15/8), Good Birthday (4/1), Data Protection (4/1), Harrovian (7/1)

Hard to rule any of these out, while at the same time all have a bit to prove. Perhaps the safest call is to ignore the understandable Derby flop of EMISSARY, who had looked a high-class colt in the making on his previous starts. Data Protection seemed to benefit from a breathing operation when producing a career-best effort to win over C&D last time, so merits respect as does the unexposed Cognac, who will go close if proving his stamina for this new trip.