Pareto Financial Planning Handicap

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 2m 14.03s

(4)

Pride Of America^t³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: S De Sousa| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 92| D

5/6

Improved performer for new yard, making all over this trip at Newcastle (AW) and Chester (good to soft) this spring. Had a lot to spare at latter track and even 9 lb rise may not prevent him dominating in this small field.

Form: 948/121

(3)

Gifted Ruler¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: B A Curtis| T: H Palmer| OR: 87| C

9/2

Useful sort but didn't offer much in a big-field York handicap on his reappearance run for new trainer Hugo Palmer. This clearly easier but he's hard to make a good case for after that.

Form: 20730-0

(1)

Strawberri^h1³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 83| BF| C

10/3

Dual 1m winner last summer, including here on heavy. Good second in 1¼m Newbury handicap (heavy) on final start last year. Well held on Ascot reappearance (good to firm) but may resume her progression now. Any rain in her favour. Hooded first time.

Form: 31132-8

(2)

Vanity Affair^h⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: W Buick| T: C Fellowes| OR: 80| D

13/2

Progressive on AW/turf during first half of last year, winning 3 handicaps. Off 10 months and 8/1, fourth of 5 in handicap at Chelmsford (1¼mf) 6 weeks ago, taking keen hold. May do better with that outing behind him.

Form: 21113-4

Forecasts

Pride Of America (5/6), Strawberri (10/3), Gifted Ruler (9/2), Vanity Affair (13/2)

If PRIDE OF AMERICA is in the same form as at Chester then he'll surely take some pegging back in this small-field affair. Strawberri can fill the forecast spot.