William Hill Handicap

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 2m 6.24s

(4)

Falling Shadow²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 98| BF| D

2/1

Impressive winner on his reappearance at Newbury. Gelded ahead of next outing when seventh on handicap debut at Royal Ascot and lost little in defeat when runner-up at Newmarket last time. Respected,

Form: 8D-172

(3)

Savvy Victory²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: David Probert| T: S Woods| OR: 95| D

13/2

Off the mark at Pontefract on return before facing stiff tasks on his next 3 runs. Headed on the post on handicap debut at Doncaster last month and the winner has scored again since. Leading contender.

Form: 2-13362

(1)

Al Mubhir^t¹⁰⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 91

7/2

Overcame inexperience to win at Newmarket on debut. Failed to meet expectations here (1m) on return, but resumed progress when fourth at Haydock in May. Could do better upped in trip on handicap bow.

Form: 1-44

(5)

Paradias³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A King| OR: 90

11/4

Improved in handicaps this season, benefiting from an enterprising ride when scoring at Yarmouth in June. Bounced back from rare poor effort when second here (11.2f) a month ago. Needs more back down in trip.

Form: 3-2D162

(2)

Maytree Respite²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 87| D

6/1

Won novice at Wolverhampton in December and has found further improvement upped to 10f in handicaps this year, successful at Newbury in July. Runner-up both starts since and may just be vulnerable again.

Form: 1-43122

Forecasts

Falling Shadow (2/1), Paradias (11/4), Al Mubhir (7/2), Maytree Respite (6/1), Savvy Victory (13/2)

Having been tried at a higher level, SAVVY VICTORY was only narrowly denied on his handicap debut by a William Haggas-trained improver, so he is taken to go one better this time around. Falling Shadow is feared most after he also ran well when runner-up last time, while Al Mubhir completes the shortlist on his handicap bow.