AGM Safety Ltd Handicap

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 3m 6.91s

(1)

Pledgeofallegiance^p³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Darragh Keenan| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 76

7/4

Found improvement for the step up in trip when winning 10-runner handicap at Redcar (14f, good to firm) 31 days ago, responding well. 6 lb higher mark now but he should progress further.

Form: 80-8521

(4)

Double Oban³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 75

13/2

Improved meeting quicker ground for the first time when getting off the mark in 3-runner minor event at Leicester (11.8f, good to firm) 32 days ago. Had previously struggled in a handicap from only a 2 lb higher mark and others perhaps hold more room progress.

Form: 63251

(3)

Royal Deeside⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: A King| OR: 75

13/2

Fair form in a minor event and 2 maidens last season, very much looking a stayer when fourth at Newmarket (10f) on his final outing at 2 yrs. Possibly needed run on return last time but he'll likely to need to improve to make a winning handicap debut.

Form: 474-4

(5)

Trojan Spirit²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: C Johnston| OR: 73

22/1

Winner at Kempton on final start at 2 yrs but has failed to land a blow in a pair of handicaps this season, albeit stumbling badly at the start at Leicester last time. Steps up in trip but others look more solid at present.

Form: 441-58

(2)

Campaign Trail⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 71

5/4

Strong in the betting and duly showed much improved form when second of 9 in handicap at Salisbury (12f, good to firm) 43 days ago, well suited by the step up in trip. Certain to stay this far and he's expected to progress again.

Form: 967-2

Forecasts

Campaign Trail (5/4), Pledgeofallegiance (7/4), Royal Deeside (13/2), Double Oban (13/2), Trojan Spirit (22/1)

Not much to choose between PLEDGEOFALLEGIANCE and Campaign Trail on paper, the verdict narrowly going towards Sir Mark Prescott's gelding, who showed a willing attitude in making all to win at Redcar last time. Campaign Trail himself is unexposed as a stayer and appeals as one who is certain to progress over longer distances, with the pair clear of Double Oban in order of preference here.