QuinnBet Quarterback Handicap

Off time: 16:26 | Winning time: 2m 17.98s

(6)

Burnish²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: A J Farragher⁽³⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 71

9/4

Winner at Southwell in February. 7/2 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, bit below form fourth of 9 in handicap at Kempton (8f) 27 days ago. Headgear now discarded at entirely possible that this step up in trip will prompt some improvement.

Form: 879-154

(5)

Intergalacticat⁶⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 69

5/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Bit below form fifth of 11 in minor event at Lingfield (8f, AW, 8/1) 66 days ago, needing stiffer test. Gets that here and may well be seen in a better light on this handicap/turf debut. Gelded.

Form: 0-865

(3)

Absolute Queen^p1¹²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Billy Loughnane⁽⁵⁾| T: G Boughey| OR: 69

9/2

Lightly-raced maiden. Seventh of 8 in nursery (18/1) at Wolverhampton (7.2f), left poorly placed. Off 128 days and faces a significant step up in trip here in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 23257-

(1)

Zebra Star¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 66| C

8/1

First run since leaving George Boughey when a below-par fourth of 9 in handicap (14/1) at Nottingham (8.3f, heavy) 13 days ago. Entitled to come on for that run but whether this stiffer test is what she needs remains to be seen.

Form: 27173-4

(2)

Smooth Ryder¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: C Johnston| OR: 63| BF

10/1

4/7, third of 4 in handicap at Chelmsford City (13.3f) 12 days ago. Drop back in trip looks a good move and he has to be taken seriously on the strength of his previous efforts in handicap company.

Form: 7-42223

(4)

Dog Fox^h1¹⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: N Callan| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 62

3/1

Thrice-raced maiden. 200/1, eighth of 10 in minor event at Chelmsford City (7f). Off 168 days (gelded in the interim) and significantly up in trip for this handicap debut. Hood on 1st time.

Form: 578-

Forecasts

Burnish (9/4), Dog Fox (3/1), Absolute Queen (9/2), Intergalacticat (5/1), Zebra Star (8/1), Smooth Ryder (10/1)

INTERGALACTICAT showed enough in maiden/novice company on the all-weather to suggest that this opening mark will be within reach, particularly now that he is faced with a stiffer test. The fact that his yard has been among the winners of late also augurs well. Smooth Ryder was turned over when odds on at Chelmsford recently but is likely to make a bold bid back down in trip here, while Burnish, who shapes as though this step up in distance could be what he needs, merits respect, too.