16:45 Kempton

Wednesday 3 March 2021

All16:4517:1517:4518:2018:5019:2019:5020:20

groundsweek Handicap

Off time: 16:46 | Winning time: 2m 5.47s

(7)

Sky Defender¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 105| C| D

9/2

Course winner who arrives on back of excellent second of 8 in handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f) 16 days ago. Up 2 lb but this useful front runner is still weighted to have a big say.

Form: 0226-32

(5)

Assimilation¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Joanna Mason⁽⁵⁾| T: E Walker| OR: 99| D

5/1

Scored at Lingfield in January and not disgraced when fifth of 8 in handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f) 16 days ago given needed stronger gallop. Needs considering off same mark.

Form: 7D1-315

(6)

Dashing Roger¹⁰⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Hollie Doyle| T: W Stone| OR: 96

8/1

Four-time winner last year who posted creditable fifth of 8 in 1m handicap at Lingfield in November. Up in trip and needs to hit the ground running after his break.

Form: 621215-

(3)

Lucky's Dream⁴^{(ex 5)}

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 87| D

9/4

In fine form, and racked up third win already in 2021 with career-best effort victory in 1m4f handicap (5/4) at Lingfield only 4 days ago. Another bold showing is on the cards under 5 lb penalty.

Form: 5924-11

(4)

Al Muffrih^t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-6| J: Marco Ghiani⁽³⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 90| D

15/2

Winless since 2019 but in good nick at present, fourth of 8 in handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f) 16 days ago when needing stronger gallop. In the mix.

Form: 324-444

(1)

Racing Country⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-6| J: David Probert| T: D Steele| OR: 90

80/1

Fairly useful 1m winner in 2018 for Saeed bin Suroor. Been campainged over hurdles this term so shouldn't want for fitness on his comeback in this sphere but this is no easy ask.

Form: 807011/

(2)

Master The Stars¹⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: Cieren Fallon| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 89| BF| D

10/3

Fairly useful 1m2f winner last term but not seen out since September. Proven on this surface but his fitness is a worry on his return.

Form: 5/21233-

Forecasts

Lucky's Dream (9/4), Master The Stars (10/3), Sky Defender (9/2), Assimilation (5/1), Al Muffrih (15/2), Dashing Roger (8/1), Racing Country (80/1)

A useful handicap for which course-winner SKY DEFENDER gets a narrow vote after his excellent recent second at Wolverhampton. Lucky's Dream is thriving on a busy campaign thus far in 2021 so isn't taken lightly under a 5 lb penalty for his recent Lingfield success, with in-form Al Muffrih also worth a second look in a tightly-knit affair.