Coral 'Beaten-By-A-Length' Free Bet Handicap

Off time: 18:15 | Winning time: 3m 6.24s

(6)

Deciduous²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 83

10/11

Overcame greenness to score nicely at Wolverhampton on debut in February and built on that at the second attempt to prove his opening mark lenient at Leicester (11.8f) 26 days ago, asserting near line. Open to further improvement.

Form: 151

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(1)

De Vega's Warrior^p1,t¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: M Appleby| OR: 81

33/1

Maiden who ran well over 4f longer trip when second at Wolverhampton (12.2f) back in February. Well held in a deeper race back on turf at Chester 9 weeks later though, so something to prove now. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 625-426

(2)

Dark Mystery²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 75

50/1

Steady progress in 3 runs as a 2-y-o but was well beaten on handicap debut/reappearance at Doncaster (10.2f) 27 days ago, folding tamely over 2f out. Significantly up in trip.

Form: 823-6

(4)

Duty Bound²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 73

5/1

Promise in extended 1m Nottingham maidens in the autumn, the form of his November third reading well. Failed to improve upped in trip on reappearance at Haydock but remains capable of better now venturing into handicaps.

Form: 43-4

(5)

Moonlit Warrior²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: David Egan| T: M L W Bell| OR: 65| D

7/4

Made it 2-2 in handicaps with a bit up his sleeve in 13-runner event at Wetherby (14f, good to firm) 25 days ago. That appeals as good form, and he'll go on improving.

Form: 00-811

Non-Runners

(3)

Kincade³⁵

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: Jedd O'Keeffe J: P J McDonald

Forecasts

Deciduous (10/11), Moonlit Warrior (7/4), Duty Bound (5/1), Kincade (5/1), De Vega's Warrior (33/1), Dark Mystery (50/1)

MOONLIT WARRIOR had a bit in hand when scoring at Wetherby last month and, with that appealing as good form for the grade, he's fancied to go on improving and complete the hat-trick. Deciduous looks a big threat however, especially with the prospect of more to come over this longer trip having proven himself a strong stayer at Leicester. Duty Bound remains capable of better now venturing into handicaps and also needs taking seriously.