Virgin Bet Handicap

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 3m 49.94s

(2)

Lucky Deal^v⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 94

9/4

Consistent on AW this year but exploits have been mixed on turf in recent months, though last 2 starts off reduced mark were more encouraging, including when fourth in class 2 at Doncaster last week.

Form: 000324

(4)

Prince Imperial³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Tyler Heard⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hughes| OR: 92| D

5/4

Quickly resumed winning ways under a well-judged front-running ride in 4-runner handicap at Pontefract (17.1f, heavy). Good sixth in deeper race at York since and will find this less competitive.

Form: 491216

(1)

Let Me Be⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 83| C| D

3/1

Has had an excellent year, winning 6 times, but finally found run of good form coming to a halt back down in trip at Musselburgh, never really going. Freshened up by a break and type to bounce back.

Form: 811218

(3)

Beechwood Jude^t1²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: G Lee| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 80

10/1

Successful twice in the mud at Catterick in 2020 and should strip fitter for belated return at Musselburgh last month but will probably need rain. Significantly back up in trip. Tongue tie applied.

Form: 44710-4

Non-Runners

(5)

Haveyoumissedme¹¹

Weight: 8-4| Age: 3

T: I Jardine J: A Mullen

Forecasts

Prince Imperial (5/4), Lucky Deal (9/4), Let Me Be (3/1), Haveyoumissedme (7/2), Beechwood Jude (10/1)

PRINCE IMPERIAL remains steadily progressive and wasn't beaten far in a deeper race than this off this mark at York last month. He shades the vote over improving 3-y-o Haveyoumissedme and Mallard-fourth Lucky Deal.