Betway Handicap

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 2m 44.27s

(4)

Termonator^b¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 62| BF| C

5/1

Course winner. Latest win at Newcastle (1m) in December. 2/1, creditable sixth of 13 in handicap at Newcastle (10f) 11 days ago, no extra late on. Steps up in trip now and his mark may be about right.

Form: 5861-36

(5)

Straight Ash^v¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: G Lee| T: R Menzies| OR: 59| CD

10/3

Visored for 1st time, won 9-runner handicap (6/1) at this C&D 16 days ago by 1¾ lengths from Lion's Vigil, keeping on well. Not the most consistent but he's a player if replicating that here.

Form: 2651-61

(2)

Grimsthorpe Castle^v⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: A Mullen| T: M Appleby| OR: 62| CD

10/1

C&D winner. Three wins from 16 runs last year. Fourth of 6 in handicap at this course (8.1f, 10/1) 9 days ago, unsuited by the drop in trip. This much more suitable.

Form: 1133-44

(1)

Sea Art³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 55

22/1

33/1, not entirely disgraced when fifth of 13 in handicap at Wolverhampton (14f) 30 days ago. Now operating 2 lb below his last winning mark and one to note in the betting on fibresand debut.

Form: 726475-

(6)

Lion's Vigil^p¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: R A Fahey| OR: 57

6/4

Creditable 1¾ lengths second of 9 to Straight Ash in handicap at this C&D (5/1) 16 days ago. Meets that rival on 3 lb better terms on this occasion and he's interesting given low-mileage profile.

Form: 4/8952-2

(3)

Peerless Percy^b²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 56

5/1

7/2, sixth of 8 in handicap at Wolverhampton (14f) 20 days ago, unsuited by emphasis on speed. Already proven he's effective on this surface and no surprise to see him give a good account.

Form: 29623-6

Forecasts

Lion's Vigil (6/4), Straight Ash (10/3), Peerless Percy (5/1), Termonator (5/1), Grimsthorpe Castle (10/1), Sea Art (22/1)

LION'S VIGIL proved no match for Straight Ash late on when the pair met over C&D 16 days ago. However, the former was having his first start for 6 months and is 3 lb better off at the weights on this occasion. He gets the nod to come out on top on this occasion. Peerless Percy is also fancied to play a part.