Hippo Pro 3 Handicap

Off time: 16:06 | Winning time: 2m 34.22s

(5)

Tyson Fury¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: A Kirby| T: R Spencer| OR: 98| CD

6/1

Useful form. Won pair of novices (including over C&D) last year. Creditable third in a first-time hood after 4 months off on handicap debut at Newmarket (12f) 15 days ago. Not dismissed down 2 lb.

Form: 191-493

(4)

Dark Jedi²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 97| D

4/1

Hit the target twice in 2020 and resumed winning ways at Ripon in July. At least as good as ever when a close third at York 22 days ago and he's high on the shortist nudged up a couple of pounds.

Form: 2-50133

(6)

Cardano^p⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: B A Curtis| T: Ian Williams| OR: 97| D

20/1

Kicked off 2021 with pair of 1½m AW Lingfield wins. Unable to land a blow upped in trip on his last couple of outings but has to be taken seriously if taking his chance.

Form: 2-11200

(1)

Title⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 103

11/10

Opened account at Yarmouth in May and has bettered that form both starts since, latest when ¾-length second of 6 to Aleas in listed race at Hamilton. Gelded since and is one to note on handicap bow.

Form: 2-2132

(2)

Living Legend⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 94| D

13/2

Useful 3-time winner who shaped as if retaining most of his ability after a lengthy absence when fourth at Newmarket last month. Ran up to best when runner-up at Haydock next time so not dismissed.

Form: 1114/42

(3)

Sword Beach^b¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 86

10/1

Arrives in excellent heart, landing back-to-back Windsor handicaps (11.5f) in recent weeks. Had winning run ended at Lingfield 16 days ago and may find a few too strong in this company.

Form: 237116

Forecasts

Title (11/10), Dark Jedi (4/1), Tyson Fury (6/1), Living Legend (13/2), Sword Beach (10/1), Cardano (20/1)

Impossible to rule out any of these but TITLE gets the vote to make a winning handicap debut. Roger Varian's charge has his quirks, but he's still lightly raced and there should be more to come from the sole 3-y-o in this line-up. Dark Jedi proved at least as good as ever when a close third at York last month so he can give the selection most to think about, ahead of Ian Williams' Cardano.