16:55 Leicester

Monday 7 September 2020

All13:1513:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2516:55

Welcomm Communications Handicap

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 2m 37.35s

(6)

Edinburgh Castle²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: William Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 78| BF

9/2

Creditable second of 5 in handicap (7/4) at Chester (12.3f, good) 28 days ago, needing stronger gallop. Much respected in search of first win in 2020.

Form: 3-49632

(2)

Western Duke^v⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: A Kirby| T: Ian Williams| OR: 78| D

12/1

Has hinted at promise this season, fading fifth of 9 in handicap at Goodwood (14f, soft) 9 days ago. Not ruled out here back in trip.

Form: 54-0965

(4)

Union²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Ray Dawson⁽⁵⁾| T: R Varian| OR: 82

13/2

Not in top form of late, only fifth of 7 in handicap (4/1) at Wolverhampton (12.2f) 27 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 126245

(1)

Bright Start²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Hayley Turner| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 80

11/4

Fair form when placed in two maidens, second of 10 at Newbury (12f, good to soft, 3/1) 23 days ago. Makes handicap debut with bit more needed.

Form: 32

(7)

Gentleman At Arms²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 78| D

25/1

Winner at Lingfield in July before (2/1) second in match at Salisbury (12f, firm) 25 days ago. Respected.

Form: 512

(3)

Vampish⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Laura Coughlan⁽⁷⁾| T: Ronald Thompson| OR: 67| D

33/1

Form has been hit and miss this season, and (20/1) beat only one in handicap at Ripon (10.9f, good to soft) 7 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 209420

(5)

Prince Alex¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 72| D

6/4

Arrives on a hat-trick, and posted career best with bit up his sleeve in handicap at Beverley (12.1f, soft) 11 days ago. Up 4 lb but looks the one to beat.

Form: 85711

Forecasts

Prince Alex (6/4), Bright Start (11/4), Edinburgh Castle (9/2), Union (13/2), Western Duke (12/1), Gentleman At Arms (25/1), Vampish (33/1)

PRINCE ALEX arrives better than ever so is hard to side against here despite a 4 lb rise for his stylish Beverley win. Ralph Beckett's hat-trick seeker looks to face his biggest threat in the shape of top-weight Edinburgh Castle, although Western Duke is also much respected with this drop back in trip likely to show him in a better light.