Christopher Smith Associates Handicap (Str)

Off time: 16:13 | Winning time: 1m 38.65s

(6)

Mango Boy^b1⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: J Mitchell| T: C F Wall| OR: 77| D

7/2

Gained reward for consistency when off the mark in 4-runner handicap at Yarmouth in May. Didn't look totally straightforward when well held at Newcastle and blinkers now employed.

Form: 325-410

(3)

King Lewlew¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: T E Whelan| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 77

22/1

Down the field in a bumper and AW maiden for Roger Teal at the end of 2020. Much more like it when filling the frame both starts for this yard last month but opening mark looks harsh.

Form: 6/24

(2)

Hot Chesnut¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Charlie Bennett| T: D K Ivory| OR: 71| D

10/1

Nottingham winner from this mark in October and following a low-key start to the season, she returned to that level when second of 8 back at that venue a fortnight ago. More exposed than a couple of these, though.

Form: 10-0492

(1)

Persian Royal¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin⁽³⁾| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 78| D

11/10

Arrives on the up following a brace of 1m wins at Doncaster and Sandown last month. Value for a shade more than neck margin last time and up just 1 lb.

Form: 23-6411

(5)

Two Tempting¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 77| D

3/1

Showed improved form to get off the mark in 1m handicap at Kempton in May. Has followed that with some solid efforts on turf and he's likely to give his running again.

Form: 412552

Non-Runners

(4)

Ascending⁶³

Weight: 9-8| Age: 3

T: C G Cox J: A Kirby

Forecasts

Persian Royal (11/10), Ascending (11/4), Two Tempting (3/1), Mango Boy (7/2), Hot Chesnut (10/1), King Lewlew (22/1)

ASCENDING was value for extra when landing a Goodwood handicap in June and with the prospect of further improvement from this 3-y-o, he's fancied to overcome a 4 lb rise. That age group may well dominate this race, with Persian Royal and Two Tempting feared most.