Betway Easter Classic All-Weather Middle Distance Championships Conditions Stakes

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 2m 3.17s

(3)

Assimilation³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: E Walker| OR: 102| CD

25/1

Useful gelding. C&D winner. 5/1, career best when winning 7-runner handicap at Kempton (10f) 30 days ago. Another step up would put him in the mix.

Form: D1-3151

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(2)

Bangkok^t⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 111| CD

5/6

Smart horse. C&D winner. Latest win here in February. 25/1, below form eighth in the Saudi Cup last time but that's easy to excuse. Could simply prove too good for this opposition.

Form: 792-218

(1)

Byford²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Hart| T: I Furtado| OR: 91| CD

50/1

Useful gelding. Latest win here in February. Second of 4 in handicap at this course (12f, AW, 3/1) 21 days ago. Going the right way but this looks much tougher.

Form: 21-112

(5)

Forest Of Dean³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 107| CD

2/1

Smart gelding. 10/3, career best when winning 5-runner Winter Derby at this C&D (AW) 34 days ago by ¾ length from Felix, well ridden. Likely to put up another bold bid.

Form: 110/331

(4)

Palavecino^h¹⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: M Dwyer| T: B J Meehan| OR: 104| CD

8/1

Useful gelding. C&D winner. Four wins from 10 runs last year. Good 2¾ lengths fourth of 8 to Sangarius in listed race at this C&D (AW, 25/1). Off 104 days. Likely to come up short.

Form: 019234-

(6)

Sky Defender⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 104| CD

28/1

Smart horse. C&D winner. Three wins from 15 runs last year. 12¼ lengths fourth of 5 to Global Giant in listed race at Kempton (10f, 14/1) 6 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 26-3264

Forecasts

Bangkok (5/6), Forest Of Dean (2/1), Palavecino (8/1), Assimilation (25/1), Sky Defender (28/1), Byford (50/1)

BANGKOK didn't fire in the Saudi Cup last time but has been admirably consistent in this country and should have enough class to get the better of Forest of Dean, who had everything go his way when landing the Winter Derby. Further progress from Assimilation isn't out of the question, so he's another one to consider.