AJN Steelstock 'Steeling The Limelight' Handicap

Off time: 19:45 | Winning time: 3m 4.84s

Fox Vardy²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: James Doyle| T: R M Beckett| OR: 82

7/2

Twelve runs since last win in 2020. Last of 8 in handicap at York (16.2f, good to firm, 13/2) 27 days ago. Continues to edge down the weights and claims judged on his effort at Sandown at the beginning of July.

Form: 6-33738

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Wilderness^v⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: George Downing| T: J W Mullins| OR: 81| CD

14/1

Five wins from 19 Flat runs. 33/1, won 5-runner handicap at this C&D (good to firm) 41 days ago. Was seen to good effect that day, but she remains feasibly treated up 4 lb and has to enter calculations.

Form: 20620/1

City Tour^v¹⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: R Havlin| T: Mrs L Richards| OR: 74

40/1

Unreliable sort. 16/1, last of 9 in handicap at Kempton (11f), very slowly away. Off 6 months and up in trip here with the visor refitted. Others look more solid.

Form: 21257-9

Champagne City¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: K T O'Neill| T: Ian Williams| OR: 73

20/1

First run since leaving Tom George when last of 5 in handicap at Haydock (11.6f, good, 16/1) 14 days ago. Up in trip and this 9-y-o has a fair bit to prove at present.

Form: 74030/5

Nova Legend^b⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: J Ferguson| OR: 81| D

10/11

9/4 and blinkered for 1st time, career best when winning 6-runner handicap at Ffos Las (14f, good) 8 days ago, helped by being held up in strongly-run race. Obvious chance of going in again, given that he escapes a penalty.

Form: 43-2261

Masterdream^p,t⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: J F Egan| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 70

16/1

Lightly-raced maiden on Flat. Modest winner at 20f over hurdles. 16/5, improved to win 14-runner handicap hurdle at Worcester (20f, good) 51 days ago, keeping on well. Needs considering on handicap bow in this sphere.

Form: 5575/

Love Mystery¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 72| BF

4/1

9/4, fourth of 5 in handicap at Lingfield (13f, AW) 13 days ago, not ideally placed. Has shown enough to suggest that he has a race in him off this sort of mark.

Form: 633254

Forecasts

Nova Legend (10/11), Fox Vardy (7/2), Love Mystery (4/1), Wilderness (14/1), Masterdream (16/1), Champagne City (20/1), City Tour (40/1)

It's hard to look beyond NOVA LEGEND, who is unpenalised for last week's decisive success in an apprentices' handicap at Ffos Las (first start since being gelded) and the booking of Harry Davies adds to his appeal. The King Power Racing-owned duo Love Mystery and Fox Vardy both have possibilities, while Wilderness was successful over this C&D last time. However, Masterdream, a winner over hurdles on his latest start, is feared most on his handicap debut in this sphere.