Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:24 | Winning time: 2m 7.18s

(1)

Noble Peace^t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: David Probert| T: S Pearce| OR: 72| CD

9/2

4-time C&D winner. Latest win here in September. Fifth of 8 in handicap (9/1) at this C&D (AW) 23 days ago, hampered. Should give another good account.

Form: 1890-35

(2)

Rushmore¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Joey Haynes| T: C Banham| OR: 63

25/1

Seventh of 11 in handicap (66/1) at Wolverhampton (9.5f) 13 days ago. Hasn't been firing of late, so hard to fancy despite sliding mark.

Form: 39589-7

(6)

No Flies On Me⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 63| BF| CD

4/5

C&D winner. Latest win here in January. 7/4, good second of 11 in handicap at this C&D (AW) 9 days ago, having benefit of enterprising ride. Sure to go well again.

Form: 921-1D2

(5)

Courtside¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Harry Burns⁽⁵⁾| T: J Butler| OR: 62

28/1

Last of 13 in handicap at Southwell (7.1f, 50/1) 14 days ago. Significantly back up in trip. Has a bit to prove at present.

Form: 4/9512-0

(3)

Santa Florentina¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Grace McEntee⁽³⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 61

22/1

Last of 7 in handicap at Wolverhampton (8.6f, 11/1) 11 days ago. Has work to do.

Form: 6724-37

(4)

Forge Valley Lad²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: D M Simcock| OR: 60| D

16/5

Latest win at Chelmsford City in November. 3/1, sixth of 7 in handicap at Kempton (12f) 27 days ago, not having run of race. Still very much of interest from this sort of mark.

Form: 6/615D-6

Forecasts

No Flies On Me (4/5), Forge Valley Lad (16/5), Noble Peace (9/2), Santa Florentina (22/1), Rushmore (25/1), Courtside (28/1)

NO FLIES ON ME was picked up late by a well-handicapped rival over C&D last time but, with the run of the race likely once more, he could well get back to winning ways. If the selection does face competition up front, that would play to the strengths of Forge Valley Lad, who is capable of defying his current mark when circumstances allow.