15:07 Stratford

Thursday 28 July 2022

All13:2513:5714:3215:0715:4216:2016:55

Saige Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:08 | Winning time: 5m 38.69s

Flying Verse^b,t²⁷

10/1

C&D winner who was successful in handicap chases at Bangor and Kelso last season. However, has lost his way since latest win in October. Has dropped to a good mark on his first run since a wind op.

Form: F54-245

Shinobi^p,t⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 98

15/2

Won handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot (21.5f) last summer, but well held on his chase debut at Worcester next time and has struggled for form back over hurdles since. Has enough to prove.

Form: 14P0-66

Boagrius^b1,t¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 94

16/1

Winless since landing back-to-back 2m handicaps in early 2019. Below form both starts this season, but this is his second outing since a wind op and on a dangerous mark if blinkers can help spark a revival.

Form: 6533-65

Cardboard Gangster¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 92

2/1

Showed more than previously in handicaps when winning over fences at Perth (23.8f). Confirmed his return to form when runner-up here (19.4f) 11 days ago. Can go well again back up in trip.

Form: 65P-412

On Time^t¹¹^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 79

9/2

Left previous efforts well behind when easily winning mares' handicap chase at Newton Abbot (25.8f) 11 days ago, making all back up in trip. Can follow up under a penalty.

Form: 7875-41

Spiritus Mundi⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 85

17/2

Ran well on chase debut when second of 6 in handicap at Warwick (20f) in May. Went backwards from that effort though when well-beaten fifth at Ffos Las the following month. Bounce back called for.

Form: 327-725

Kiera Royale^t⁴⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Max Kendrick| T: J Coulson| OR: 77

50/1

Doubled her tally under Rules when successful in mares' handicap chase at Worcester (20f) last summer, but has lost her way since the turn of the year. Best to look elsewhere.

Form: 240U-P4

Thais Toir^p,t1¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: David Noonan| T: A Wintle| OR: 77

8/1

Made steady progress in handicaps over fences last season, ending the campaign with a runner-up effort at Huntingdon (23.6f) in March. Shaped as if possibly still needing the run over C&D last time.

Form: 5542-56

Amber Run^p,t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 70

6/1

Poor maiden hurdler/chaser. Never a threat when fourth of 12 in handicap chase at Cartmel (21.2f) last month. Looks to be up against it again from 2 lb out of the weights.

Form: P6P-444

Non-Runners

Easkey Lad⁴⁴

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: Miss R Curtis J: James Bowen

Forecasts

Cardboard Gangster (2/1), On Time (9/2), Amber Run (6/1), Shinobi (15/2), Thais Toir (8/1), Spiritus Mundi (17/2), Flying Verse (10/1), Boagrius (16/1), Easkey Lad (16/1), Kiera Royale (50/1)

ON TIME left her previous efforts well behind back up in trip and under a change of tactics when comfortably making all at Newton Abbot last time and she could be up to defying a penalty. Cardboard Gangster has run well on his last 2 starts and is feared most, ahead of Boagrius who lurks on a dangerous mark.