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Off time: 16:33 | Winning time: 2m 6.76s

(4)

Emperor Zen¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Darragh Keenan| T: J Butler| OR: 73| BF

11/8

Winner at Kempton in December. Good second of 6 in handicap (6/4) at Wolverhampton (8.6f) 11 days ago, conceding first run. Firmly in the picture once more.

Form: 03312-2

(1)

Desfondado¹⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Paddy Bradley⁽³⁾| T: S Dow| OR: 70

5/1

Thrice-raced maiden. 50/1, last of 5 in minor event at Epsom (8.5f, good), finding nothing. Off 146 days. First run for yard after leaving Jim Boyle. Makes handicap debut. May well do better.

Form: 655-

(2)

Densetsu²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Stefano Cherchi| T: M Botti| OR: 69

4/1

Lightly-raced winner. 9/4, career best when winning 8-runner handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f) 26 days ago, overcoming pace bias. Up 4 lb but form has been franked and a big player once more.

Form: 376-21

(3)

Berwick Law^p²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: C Johnston| OR: 66

7/1

Winner at Wolverhampton in December. Not disgraced when 2½ lengths fifth of 8 to Densetsu in handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f, 11/2) 26 days ago. Considered.

Form: 45713-5

(5)

Strike Alliance¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 58| BF

9/2

Progressive maiden. Good second of 8 in handicap (15/8) at Kempton (8f) 17 days ago, left poorly placed after a tardy start. Up in trip. Should improve.

Form: 867-32

Forecasts

Emperor Zen (11/8), Densetsu (4/1), Strike Alliance (9/2), Desfondado (5/1), Berwick Law (7/1)

None of the quintet can be dismissed but DENSETSU did well to open to account at Wolverhampton last time and can make light of a 4 lb rise in the weights with that form having been franked. Top-weight Emperor Zen also has better days ahead of him and is feared most ahead of the progressive maiden Strike Alliance.