Dapper Spaniel Gastro Pub Rolleston Handicap

Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 3m 46.19s

(1)

Smart Champion^h²⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: L Morris| T: D M Simcock| OR: 81| D

11/2

Slow starts an increasing problem last term and though his mark has edged down, he's no longer the easiest to have full confidence in after an 8-month break.

Form: 40/6350-

(5)

Phoenix Aquilus⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: S W Kelly| T: S Durack| OR: 77| BF| C| D

6/5

Course winner. Latest win here in January (beat Prince Abu). 15/8, good second of 7 in handicap at Lingfield (15.8f, AW) 58 days ago. Has leading chance on form.

Form: 8241-12

(4)

Lion Face^t1,v²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: T E Whelan| T: L Morgan| OR: 70| D

12/1

Latest win at Kempton in October. Creditable fourth of 7 in handicap at Pontefract (18f, heavy, 28/1) 20 days ago, though merely plugged on. Makes tapeta debut. Tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 19341-4

(6)

Prince Abu^h¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Cam Hardie| T: D Shaw| OR: 68| CD

10/3

C&D winner in January and also scored at Kempton in February. Ran no sort of race here last time but had been in good heart prior and has claims if able to put that run quickly behind him.

Form: 211326

(3)

Kitten's Dream^b⁸^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Jonathan Fisher⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 59| CD

9/2

Ended long losing run when scoring in 7-runner handicap at this C&D (5/2) 8 days ago. Carries penalty up in grade.

Form: 724201

Non-Runners

(2)

Van Meegeren²¹⁷

Weight: 9-5| Age: 6

T: D G Bridgwater J: S De Sousa

Forecasts

Phoenix Aquilus (6/5), Prince Abu (10/3), Kitten's Dream (9/2), Smart Champion (11/2), Van Meegeren (6/1), Lion Face (12/1)

PHOENIX AQUILUS got the better of Prince Abu here in January and bumped into another improver last time, so can get back on the winning trail here at the chief expense of his old rival.