Time Test Handicap

Off time: 16:22 | Winning time: 1m 24.13s

(3)

Al Rufaa^h²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Benoit D L Sayette⁽³⁾| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 97| CD

10/3

Most progressive as a 3-y-o but lightly raced since and seemed to turn it in when well held in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot. Raced closer to pace than ideal in Bunbury Cup over C&D last time and top claimer now takes over, but doubts linger about his attitude.

Form: 720-208

(6)

Typhoon Ten⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 95| D

22/1

Won twice at Lingfield last August but was soundly beaten in the Ayr Silver Cup on his final 2021 start and it was a similar story in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood on his reappearance last week.

Form: 71190-0

(5)

Ropey Guest^v¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: T P Queally| T: G G Margarson| OR: 93| D

7/2

Has just 2 wins to his name but putting together an excellent CV in the good-quality handicaps, runner-up in the Buckingham Palace before filling same spot in Bunbury Cup over C&D. Not disgraced in International Stakes at Ascot latest and seems sure to remain competitive at the very least.

Form: 5-54220

(4)

Star Of Orion^b1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 93| CD

5/1

C&D winner from 1 lb higher in 2021 but has yet to fire this season, well held in International Stakes at Ascot latest. Blinkers on for 1st time.

Form: 77-8000

(1)

Mitrosonfire⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 85| C

13/2

Beat a subsequent winner at Nottingham in June and has performed respectably since, not seen to best when sixth at Goodwood (6f) last week, finishing with running left. Must enter calculations.

Form: 481436

(2)

Love De Vega⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: R Kingscote| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 86| CD

2/1

Landed a Nottingham novice in June last year and showed improved form to follow up on handicap debut over C&D 14 months later. Quick turnaround is a slight niggle after such a long absence the time before but further progress can't be ruled out.

Form: 221-1

Forecasts

Love De Vega (2/1), Al Rufaa (10/3), Ropey Guest (7/2), Star Of Orion (5/1), Mitrosonfire (13/2), Typhoon Ten (22/1)

The quick turnaround is a slight niggle for LOVE DE VEGA, but the fact of the matter is she's easily the most interesting runner in the line up being the sole 3-y-o with the scope for further improvement, so is taken to go in again and defy a 6 lb rise. Mitrosonfire and the likeable Ropey Guest head the opposition.