Boodles Handicap

Off time: 16:46 | Winning time: 2m 46.8s

(2)

Set Point²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 87

5/2

Sea The Stars colt who ran out a good winner of a Nottingham maiden in October. Improved a shade further upped in trip on return at Newbury so not ruled out on handicap debut trying 1½m.

Form: 41-5

(4)

Love Is Golden¹⁹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 81

15/2

Left debut well behind when keeping on well to score at Ripon (1m). Heavy ground proved against him on handicap bow when last seen in 2020 so he remains with potential upped further in trip.

Form: 8147-

(6)

Classic Lord²⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 80

12/1

Came on plenty for debut to win maiden at Goodwood (1m) in August. Followed up in straightforward fashion at Pontefract but ran poorly at York on handicap bow. Upped significantly in trip for return.

Form: 6110-

(3)

Alpine Stroll¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: R Kingscote| T: E De Giles| OR: 78

15/2

Made a pleasing start when runner-up in a Nottingham 6 months ago and again outperformed market expectations when fourth at Doncaster on return. Not so good at Newbury since and makes handicap debut.

Form: 2-47

(1)

Sonning²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: M Harley| T: A King| OR: 77

6/4

Has been brought along steadily and showed much improved form to get off the mark making handicap debut after 5 months off at Beverley 22 days ago. Likely to progress again upped further in trip.

Form: 737-1

(5)

Baileys Derbyday⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 71| BF

9/1

Promising type who took a step forward switched to a handicap when runner-up at Yarmouth 9 days ago, pulling nicely clear of the remainder. Leading claims for in-form yard with better to come.

Form: 35-52

Forecasts

Sonning (6/4), Set Point (5/2), Love Is Golden (15/2), Alpine Stroll (15/2), Baileys Derbyday (9/1), Classic Lord (12/1)

A potential match between BAILEYS DERBYDAY and Sonning, with preference for the former having taken a step forward switched to a handicap when finishing runner-up at Yarmouth 9 days ago. He looks sure to have his best days ahead and can open his account here. This step up in trip looks sure to suit Alan King's charge so he heads up the opposition, ahead of Set Point.