18:10 Salisbury

Saturday 27 May 2023

All17:3518:1018:4019:1019:4020:1020:40

D & N Construction Handicap

Off time: 18:10 | Winning time: 59.32s

(5)

Betweenthesticks^p¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: George Bass⁽³⁾| T: J Channon| OR: 77| D

7/1

Three-time 5f winner last season. Went backwards from his reappearance when sixth of 10 in handicap at Chester (5.1f, heavy, 28/1) 17 days ago, albeit racing closer to pace than ideal. Respected from 3 lb lower mark.

Form: 2116-46

(9)

Fair Wind^h²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: L Morris| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 77| D

4/1

Promise when placed in maiden/minor event at Nottingham before a completing a simple task in 3-runner novice ar Wolverhampton last month. Keen-going sort looks open to plenty of improvement on handicap debut.

Form: 321

(1)

Just A Spark⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Ross Coakley| T: B R Millman| OR: 75| D

3/1

Progressive on AW, completing a hat-trick in 5f Southwell handicap in April. Not disgraced when mid-field in 18-runner handicap at York (5f, good to firm) 8 days ago. Can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.

Form: 211139

(6)

Wakai Umi¹⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Loughnane⁽³⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 75| D

25/1

Won back-to-back events at Dundalk in October and Wolverhampton in November. Did too much too soon in search of hat-trick at Wolverhampton last time and is worth a market check after another absence.

Form: 51211-6

(3)

Estate^t1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 72| BF

9/1

Another creditable effort when second of 9 in maiden at Wolverhampton (5.1f) 15 days ago. Tongue strap on 1st time. More exposed than most here but mark looks fair back in handicap.

Form: 2827-32

(10)

Annie Maher²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Dylan Hogan| T: M L W Bell| OR: 72

17/2

In frame 4 of 5 starts at 2 yrs and shaped as if better for run when sixth of 8 in maiden at Wolverhampton (6.1f) 25 days ago. Makes handicap debut. Others have achieved more.

Form: 23363-6

(4)

Lady Jane Grey¹⁹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Shepherd| T: Rae Guest| OR: 69| D

8/1

Successful on debut at Lingfield (5f, turf) early last season. Similar form in nurseries at the back end of last season but concedes race fitness to her rivals after 6 months off.

Form: 13753-

(2)

Fragrance²¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Connor Planas⁽⁵⁾| T: R Harris| OR: 68| D

66/1

Winner at Catterick as an early 2-y-o for Charlie & Mark Johnston but went wrong way as a juvenile and has plenty to prove on debut for new yard.

Form: 852680-

(7)

Optiva Star¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Joe Leavy⁽⁷⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 68

18/1

Remains a maiden after 8 Flat runs. Below form when eighth of 10 in maiden at Southwell (6.1f, 15/2) 16 days ago and further drop in trip doesn't look obviously suitable. Opposable.

Form: 465-758

(8)

Cluedo¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: T E Whelan| T: H Candy| OR: 67| D

5/1

Strong in the betting and showed improved form when easily winning 4-runner handicap (2/1) at Bath (5f, good to firm) 10 days ago. Bumped up 10 lb but surely have even more to come and should take the beating.

Form: 743-1

Forecasts

Just A Spark (3/1), Fair Wind (4/1), Cluedo (5/1), Betweenthesticks (7/1), Lady Jane Grey (8/1), Annie Maher (17/2), Estate (9/1), Optiva Star (18/1), Wakai Umi (25/1), Fragrance (66/1)

CLUEDO has been handed a hefty rise in the weights after a facile success at Bath last week, but her trainer consistently does well with similar types and it would be surprising if she'd already hit the apex of her progress this time. Handicap newcomer Fair Wind landed short odds last time and looks the sort to benefit from a strongly-run sprint, whilst Estate, after a brace of good efforts can make the frame again.