Patti Crook Memorial Handicap

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 2m 34.46s

(4)

Mahrajaan²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Dane O'Neill| T: W J Haggas| OR: 97| BF| D

6/1

Progressive last term and picked up where he left off when a smooth-travelling third at Haydock on reappearance. Sent off 5/1 joint-favourite but clearly wasn't 100% when tailed-off in strong renewal of John Smith's Cup at York 3 weeks ago but has to be taken seriously if back on song.

Form: 1113-30

(2)

Sir Rumi³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Hannon| OR: 89

11/4

Dual scorer as a 3-y-o (at up to 1¼m) and largely run with credit in defeat so far this campaign, running on sixth in 18-runner Duke of Edinburgh handicap at Ascot last month. Not well served by modestly-run affair at Windsor 5 weeks ago.

Form: 4-24464

(3)

Old Port³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: P D Evans| OR: 86| D

7/2

Most progressive following switch to handicaps on AW, winning 4 times. Not quite in the same form when tackling turf for the first time at Chester in May but quickly back on track returned to a shorter trip when runner-up at Windsor 5 weeks ago. More needed here.

Form: 114152

(1)

Temporize⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 92| CD

11/10

Postponed gelding who looked a good staying prospect in making a winning start at Wolverhampton earlier this month and built on that with an authoritative display over C&D 8 days ago. Likely to progress further now moving into handicaps so warrants plenty respect.

Form: 11

Forecasts

Temporize (11/10), Sir Rumi (11/4), Old Port (7/2), Mahrajaan (6/1)

A tricky contest to unravel despite the small field but the vote goes to TEMPORIZE, who has made the perfect start to his career, and with further progress on the cards now handicapping, the sole 3-y-o in the line-up is fancied to remain unbeaten and stretch his winning sequence to 3. Mahrajaan shaped as if amiss in the John Smith's Cup at York earlier this month so, provided he's back on song, he can chase the selection home.