Coral 'Beaten-By-A-Length' Free Bet Handicap

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 2m 15.05s

(3)

Algiers¹⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Burns⁽³⁾| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 106| D

11/1

Smart, 3-time winner in France who ran up to best for new yard when successful in Group 3 on the dirt at Jebel Ali (1m) in February. Below best in Meydan Group 2 in March but no surprise to see him back to form on debut on these shores.

Form: 335-218

(5)

Marching Army^v²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Louis Steward| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 103| D

4/1

Improved steadily as a 3-y-o and essentially continued the theme this year, visored to score at Yarmouth in August and career-best when going in again at Newbury (10f) last month, responding well to firm pressure. Can feature again from 6 lb higher.

Form: 411-411

(6)

Saga^b⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 103

6/1

Posted a really smart effort with blinkers on for the first time when only just failing to get up in Britannia at Royal Ascot. However, the headgear hasn't had anything like the same effect since, eleventh of 18 in handicap at this course (7.9f) 51 days ago. Up in trip.

Form: 1-26280

(2)

Protagonist¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 97| D

11/8

Multiple winner in Ireland and has progressed for new yard this year, adding 15-runner Sandown handicap (10f) to his tally in August. Ran well for a long way when tenth in Cambridgeshire (9f) 2 weeks ago and expected to go well again back up at 10f.

Form: 05-4110

(1)

Stay Well^h1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Hart| T: H Morrison| OR: 96| D

10/3

Straightforward sort who arrives having run creditably on the back of 3 months off when 2¾ lengths fifth of 13 to Marching Army in handicap at Newbury (10f) 21 days ago. Meets that rival on 6 lb better terms now and not out of things in first-time hood.

Form: 71-2295

Non-Runners

(4)

What's The Story¹

Weight: 9-4| Age: 8

T: K Dalgleish J: D Tudhope

Forecasts

Protagonist (11/8), Stay Well (10/3), Marching Army (4/1), Saga (6/1), What's The Story (6/1), Algiers (11/1)

Already twice a winner upon joining William Haggas this term, PROTAGONIST ran another solid race having towed along the far side group for a long way when tenth in the Cambridgeshire last month and it would come as no surprise to see him go well back up in trip. Stay Well and the hat-trick seeking Marching Army are others to consider.