Alan McGuinness And Robin Lunness Memorial Handicap

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 1m 35.81s

(6)

Feel The Need²²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 85| D

4/1

All the better for debut when landing 6-runner Ayr maiden (7.2f) in July. Set a stiff task in Acomb Stakes next time but shaped much better than bare result when ninth in 11-runner Ayr nursery (1m) final start. Gelded ahead of return and he's one to be interested in.

Form: 4179-

(3)

Phoenix Fire¹⁷⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 80| D

4/1

Left first 2 efforts well behind when landing 9-runner novice event (15/2) at Redcar (7f, heavy), unchallenged. Off 177 days. Makes handicap debut and mark doesn't appear to be over generous.

Form: 601-

(5)

In These Shoes¹⁸⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 79| BF| D

7/4

Starspangledbanner filly who confirmed promise of opening 2 runs when landing a 7f Redcar maiden in September. Below best on second start in handicaps when third in 5-runner Newmarket nursery (7f) in October but still early days ahead of return.

Form: 22163-

(2)

Common Acclaim²⁵²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 74

7/1

Fair form on 2 of his 3 starts in novice/maiden company last summer but never figured albeit in class 2 company when eleventh of 14 in nursery at York (7f, good, 18/1) on final start in August. Gelded ahead of seasonal bow but stable's runners so far have tended to need a run.

Form: 7520-

(4)

Honour Your Dreams²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: A Keatley| OR: 73

13/2

Fair winner at 6f during a busy 2-y-o campaign last summer and solid return to action when fourth in 9-runner Newcastle handicap (7f) 24 days ago, just tiring a little late on following 7 months off. Entitled to strip fitter now having his first crack at 7f.

Form: 15955-4

(1)

Belinda Bell¹⁸⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: 72

17/2

Thrice-raced maiden. 5/1, again ran some way below pick of her form when fifth of 11 in minor event at Leicester (6f) in October, underfoot conditions a plausible excuse. Interesting what the market makes of her on return/handicap debut now.

Form: 375-

Forecasts

In These Shoes (7/4), Feel The Need (4/1), Phoenix Fire (4/1), Honour Your Dreams (13/2), Common Acclaim (7/1), Belinda Bell (17/2)

FEEL THE NEED patently shaped better than the bare result on his final start at Ayr in the autumn, still plenty to do 2f out and no chance having been denied a run soon after. Gelded ahead of return, he's very much the type to improve again as a 3-y-o and could well be up to making a winning return. In These Shoes, for Charlie Johnston, and Honour Your Dreams, with a reappearance run under his belt, head up the dangers.