Unibet Queen's Prize Handicap

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 3m 29.43s

(5)

Sleeping Lion⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 99| CD

9/1

Dual C&D winner, successful here on first of only 2 starts last year. After 10 months off, sixth of 8 in minor event (15/2) at this C&D 52 days ago, needing stronger gallop.

Form: 623/10-6

(3)

Bandinelli^p¹¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 97| CD

11/2

Dual C&D winner. Back to form when third of 13 in handicap also at this C&D when last seen in December. Respected.

Form: 100663-

(4)

Duty Of Care²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: S W Kelly| T: J A Osborne| OR: 92| CD

9/2

After 3 months off, made it back-to-back wins at this C&D in 12-runner handicap 24 days ago. Not taken lightly in his current form.

Form: 5/0561-1

(1)

Bascule^b⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: David Egan| T: R Hughes| OR: 91| BF| C

7/1

Course winner. Sixth of 10 in maiden hurdle at Taunton (16.5f, soft, 7/1) 82 days ago. Had shaped well here on both starts in November/December and blinkers back on now returned to the level.

Form: 745024-

(6)

Aztec Empire³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 91| CD

5/4

Upped in trip, recorded his second win here of the year in 10-runner handicap over C&D (11/10) 38 days ago. Can score again at this course with the potential for better still.

Form: 4/2-141

(2)

Aced It^t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: C Poulton| OR: 87| CD

8/1

C&D winner in January. Has run well back here both starts since, 3 lengths third of 10 to Aztec Empire in handicap 38 days ago. Can give another good account.

Form: 72-5143

Forecasts

Aztec Empire (5/4), Duty Of Care (9/2), Bandinelli (11/2), Bascule (7/1), Aced It (8/1), Sleeping Lion (9/1)

AZTEC EMPIRE was suited by the step up in trip when recording a second course win of the year last time, scoring with a bit in hand, and he can follow up with further progress to come. The main danger could be Duty of Care, who arrives bidding to make it a hat-trick at this C&D, with Bandinelli completing the shortlist on his return.