Byerley Stud Handicap

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 2m 37.75s

(4)

Brasca²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 87| D

5/2

7/2, showed he retains all his ability after 19 months off when second of 4 in handicap at Wolverhampton (12.2f) 26 days ago, needing the emphasis more on stamina. Leading claims.

Form: 54512/2

(1)

Prince Of Harts²⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: B R Millman| OR: 85

16/1

Progressive form when successful 3 times in 2019 for this trainer. Offered little on sole start for Stuart Williams and similar story when tailed-off for this yard on final 2020 start. Off 6 months.

Form: 1321/86-

(5)

Dreamweaver²⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: E Walker| OR: 84| D

11/10

Scored at Haydock last June and ran creditably in 4 subsequent efforts, left with too much to do when fifth of 6 in handicap (10/3) at Newcastle (12.4f) in October. Leading player on return.

Form: 512535-

(2)

Noonday Gun¹⁸⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 82| D

7/2

Wide-margin winner of 12f Catterick novice in August. 11/2, shaped well when third of 10 in handicap at Kempton (12f), needing stiffer test. Respected on return after 6 months off.

Form: 54193-

(3)

Singing The Blues⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Liam Keniry| T: B R Millman| OR: 82| D

22/1

Four wins from 13 runs last year. Last in pair of small-field events both starts this year so he's hard to assess at present.

Form: 7525-43

Forecasts

Dreamweaver (11/10), Brasca (5/2), Noonday Gun (7/2), Prince Of Harts (16/1), Singing The Blues (22/1)

Preference is for Ed Walker's consistent DREAMWEAVER, who was left with a bit too much to do from his position on his final 2020 start at Newcastle but is taken to make a winning reappearance. Brasca proved he retains all his ability after 19 months off when runner-up at Wolverhampton last month so gets the vote for forecast spot, ahead of Noonday Gun.