15:50 Haydock

Friday 21 July 2023

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Birchwood Handicap

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 3m 7.47s

(6)

Prince Alex⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Gary Halpin| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 85| CD

10/3

Six wins from 18 Flat runs, including at this C&D. Stepped up on seasonal/stable debut when fourth of 9 in handicap at Newmarket (14f, good, 10/1) 63 days ago. Can return to winning ways back down in grade.

Form: 509/9-44

(1)

Ravenscraig Castle^t,v¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: I Jardine| OR: 83

2/1

Fourteen runs since last win in 2021. Visored for 1st time, confirmed return to form when second of 6 in handicap at Ayr (13.1f, good to soft, 5/2) 11 days ago. Can give another good account.

Form: 0-24522

(5)

Mothill²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Andrew Slattery| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 82

6/1

Fairly useful hurdler. 9/4, won 6-runner handicap at Uttoxeter (19.9f, good to soft, 9/2) 29 days ago. Arrives in good form as he makes his first start on the level for current yard (handicap debut in this sphere).

Form: 1425/

(3)

Quantum Leap^h,t³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 82

9/1

In first-time hood/tongue strap, possibly needed the run after 8 months off when seventh of 10 in minor event at Newcastle (10.2f) 30 days ago. Interesting contender upped in trip for his handicap debut.

Form: 1-7

(2)

Natchez Trace⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Harrison Shaw| T: D Carroll| OR: 77

11/1

Latest win at Southwell in June. 10/1, rare poor effort when eighth of 10 in handicap at York (11.8f, good to soft) 7 days ago, despite having run of race. Needs to find more as he steps up in trip.

Form: 6-50138

(7)

Carrigillihy¹⁰^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Phil Dennis| T: T D Easterby| OR: 71

5/1

Dropped in grade, recorded his fifth win at Pontefract when successful in 9-runner handicap (12f, good to soft, 10/3) 10 days ago. Carries a penalty and he faces a tougher task back up in class.

Form: 531471

(4)

De Vega's Warrior^t⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: M Appleby| OR: 72

10/1

Remains a maiden after 13 runs. Again ran creditably when seventh of 11 in handicap (25/1 at Kempton (2m) 44 days ago, but he looks to be vulnerable once more.

Form: 5-40227

Forecasts

Ravenscraig Castle (2/1), Prince Alex (10/3), Carrigillihy (5/1), Mothill (6/1), Quantum Leap (9/1), De Vega's Warrior (10/1), Natchez Trace (11/1)

PRINCE ALEX has been lightly raced in recent years, but he showed that he retains his ability when fourth at Newmarket on his second run for his current yard in May. The 6-y-o is now 4 lb below his last winning mark and can get the better of Ravenscraig Castle, who has returned to form on his last 2 starts. Quantum Leap also merits consideration.