Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Handicap

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 2m 10.7s

(1)

Wait Forever³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Stefano Cherchi⁽⁵⁾| T: M Botti| OR: 90

13/2

Twelve runs since last win in 2019. Respectable fifth of 9 in handicap at Chester (10.3f, good, 15/2) 38 days ago, left poorly placed. Has good chance on pick of form.

Form: 933205

(2)

Protected Guest²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: T P Queally| T: G G Margarson| OR: 90| BF| CD

10/1

Temperamental sort. 4-time course winner. 3/1, fifth of 6 in handicap at Chelmsford City (10f) 21 days ago. However, this a more suitabe assignment, at a venue he's often gone well at.

Form: 2-57995

(4)

Crystal Pegasus²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 87| D

11/8

Australia colt who didn't need to improve to win 8-runner minor event at Bath (10.2f) 24 days ago, but noted knuckling down well. In good hands and he may go on again now he's got his head in front.

Form: 26-3221

(3)

Nasraawy¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Dane O'Neill| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 86| D

9/4

Lightly-raced winner. 4/1, career best when winning 9-runner handicap at Salisbury (9.9f, good to soft) 14 days ago, keeping on well. Getting better with each recent run.

Form: 2221

(6)

London Arch^v1¹⁰²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: W Buick| T: C Fellowes| OR: 80

9/1

Lightly-raced winner. 1 win from 3 runs this year. 14/1, last of 10 in handicap at Haydock (10.2f) in June. Application of a visor needs to have a positive effect now following another break.

Form: 2-120

(5)

Pactolus^h,t⁶⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 8-10| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: S C Williams| OR: 74| C| D

28/1

Course winner. Eighteen runs since last win in 2019. 12/1, creditable third of 9 in handicap at Windsor (10f, good to firm) 66 days ago. Vulnerable to improvers in this line up.

Form: 546753

Forecasts

Crystal Pegasus (11/8), Nasraawy (9/4), Wait Forever (13/2), London Arch (9/1), Protected Guest (10/1), Pactolus (28/1)

NASRAAWY continues to go the right way, opening his account despite lingering signs of greenness at Salisbury 2 weeks ago. That ought not prove his limit and he's fancied to make another bold bid given his low-mileage profile. Wait Forever was better than the bare result at Chester and is feared, along with Crystal Pegasus.