Betway Handicap

Off time: 18:00 | Winning time: 2m 36.1s

(3)

Nao Da Mais²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: M Botti| OR: 97| D

13/2

Latest win at Saint-Cloud in June. 11/1, 3½ lengths third of 8 to King of The South in handicap at Newcastle (12.4f) 22 days ago, having run of race. Could get an easy lead, so not discounted.

Form: 315003

(6)

Alfred Boucher³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: David Probert| T: H Candy| OR: 96| D

7/2

Latest win at Ascot in July. 5 lengths ninth of 10 to Shandoz in listed race (50/1) at Kempton (12f) 33 days ago. Makes tapeta debut. Has work to do off this mark.

Form: 421559

(4)

King Of The South^v²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W J Knight| OR: 95| D

1/1

2 wins from 5 runs this year. Career best when winning 8-runner handicap (3/1) at Newcastle (12.4f) 22 days ago, readily. Shortlist material.

Form: 2-21371

(5)

Cardano^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 94| D

5/1

Twenty second of 23 in handicap (50/1) at Doncaster (11.9f, soft) 28 days ago. Could get involved if back on his game.

Form: 200220

(1)

Pivoine^v²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 93

16/1

8/1, creditable 4 lengths fourth of 8 to King of The South in handicap at Newcastle (12.4f) 22 days ago. Unlikely to turn the tables with that rival.

Form: 416924

(2)

Kasperenko^p³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Hart| T: E J Alston| OR: 90| D

28/1

Latest win at York in September. Seventh of 9 in handicap at Newmarket (12f, good, 9/1) 36 days ago. 9lb higher now. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 349917

Forecasts

King Of The South (1/1), Alfred Boucher (7/2), Cardano (5/1), Nao Da Mais (13/2), Pivoine (16/1), Kasperenko (28/1)

KING OF THE SOUTH is still firmly on the up and, while he's regarded as something of a Newcastle specialist, he was only just touched off on his only previous visit to this track, so he's fancied to confirm superiority over Nao Da Mais and Pivoine who were back in third and fourth respectably when the trio met last month.