racingtv.com Handicap

Off time: 17:18 | Winning time: 1m 37.90s

(5)

Sir Dancealot¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: David Egan| T: J Butler| OR: 99| C

8/1

Course winner. Twelve runs since last win in 2019. 25/1, shaped as if needing the run after 6 months off when sixth of 8 in handicap at this course (7f) 12 days ago, needing stronger gallop. Percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 29095-6

(4)

Austrian Theory¹⁶⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 96| D

11/2

Sole success last year came at Hamilton in mid-summer. 11/1, seventh of 9 in handicap at Southwell (8.1f) over 5 months ago. Gelded since and not dismissed with yard starting to hit top gear.

Form: 613007-

(1)

Imperial Sands^b³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 96| CD

4/1

C&D winner in January. 50/1, run best excused when twelfth of 13 in handicap at Wolverhampton (8.6f) 30 days ago, ridden too aggressively. Interesting now back down to last winning mark and Hollie Doyle back in the plate.

Form: 02-1940

(3)

Naval Commander⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: K T O'Neill| T: R Brisland| OR: 92| C| D

5/2

Course winner. 11/2, ran creditably after 8 weeks off when fourth of 12 in handicap at this C&D 9 days ago. Consistent sort who should be bang there once again.

Form: 1/44-624

(2)

Al Marmar^p⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 87| D

11/4

11/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, run best excused when tenth of 12 in handicap at this C&D 9 days ago, encountering tack problems from the off (stirrup pin broke). Has dropped to his last winning mark and could be ready to strike.

Form: 2527-00

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 10p in the pound

Non-Runners

(6)

Excel Power⁸⁷

Weight: 9-9| Age: 5

T: A Watson J: L Morris

Forecasts

Naval Commander (5/2), Al Marmar (11/4), Imperial Sands (4/1), Austrian Theory (11/2), Sir Dancealot (8/1), Excel Power (8/1)

A tricky contest to unravel despite the small field but with AL MARMAR's latest effort easy to excuse, Andrew Balding's 4-y-o gets the tentative nod to notch a third career victory. Excel Power disappointed on the straight track at Newcastle earlier in the year but he may emerge as the main threat going back round a bend given his run-style, with Austrian Theory completing the shortlist.