BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Championships Conditions Stakes

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 2m 8.4s

(5)

Base Note^v³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R Coakley| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 100| D

6/1

Smart gelding who kickstarted 2023 with success in 1m4f Lingfield handicap. Didn't enjoy the rub of the green when fifth of 6 at Wolverhampton (12.2f) 32 days ago so needs considering.

Form: 512-155

(3)

Forest Of Dean^p⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 104| CD

9/4

Resumed with cosy C&D success in January and not disgraced when sixth of 8 to stablemate Lord North in Winter Derby at Lingfield (10f) 41 days ago. Big shout at these weights.

Form: 30/45-16

(1)

Freescape⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: O J Orr| T: D Marnane| OR: 109

10/1

Smart Irish gelding who scored on AW at Dundalk in December. Only eighth in Group 3 event at Meydan (9.9f, good) 49 days ago but not ruled out in this less exacting company.

Form: 051-578

(2)

Harrovian^b,t⁴¹

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

4/1

Useful gelding who arrives in good nick, fourth of 8 to stablemate Lord North in Winter Derby at Lingfield (10f, AW) 41 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 0363-34

(4)

Notre Belle Bete^p²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 97

9/4

Three-time scorer at around 1m last year who has posted solid efforts in 1m handicaps at Lingfield and Wolverhampton in 2023. This is tougher but he's still not discounted back up to 1m2f.

Form: 6392-23

(6)

United Front⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: M Appleby| OR: 95| C| D

14/1

Course winner who posted easily his best run this term when third of 11 in handicap at Meydan (8f) 42 days ago. Back up in trip and not dismissed.

Form: 643-843

Forecasts

Notre Belle Bete (9/4), Forest Of Dean (9/4), Harrovian (4/1), Base Note (6/1), Freescape (10/1), United Front (14/1)

FOREST OF DEAN started 2023 with a cosy C&D success and has less on his plate than when sixth to stablemate Lord North in Lingfield's Winter Derby so looks the way to go. Irish-challenger Freescape shouldn't be underestimated and is next on the list ahead of Base Note, who wasn't seen to best effect at Wolverhampton last time.