Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Handicap

Off time: 19:50 | Winning time: 2m 10.12s

(5)

Brunch²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 101| C

7/1

Smart course winner. Creditable sixth of 10 in handicap at Newcastle (1m) 29 days ago, left with too much to do. Back on a good mark but the unknown is whether he'll stay the trip.

Form: 250-286

(4)

Spirit Dancer¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 97| CD

11/10

Good C&D record, including a win in this race last year. Shaped well when third on his reappearance at the Dante meeting and not disgraced when mid-field in the John Smith's Cup since. Leading claims back in calmer waters.

Form: 2412-38

(6)

Box To Box¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Palmer| OR: 88| D

7/2

Landed a third Chester success of his career last month. Good second of 8 over 11f there since and likely to be in the thick of things under Oisin Murphy.

Form: 49-0612

(2)

Zozimus^p⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Mark Winn⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 87

12/1

Twelve runs since last win in 2020. Respectable fourth of 5 at Hamilton (9f, good) recently but more will be needed if he's to return to winning ways here.

Form: 85/0634

(3)

Carolus Magnus^t1²⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Joanna Mason| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 86

12/1

Several placed efforts in 2022 but ended the year with a disappointing run over 1m here (final start for Andrew Balding). Tongue tied on reappearance for new yard. Engaged 6.30 Yarmouth Thursday.

Form: 933300-

(1)

Jean Baptiste^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: William Pyle⁽⁷⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 80| BF| D

11/2

Thirteen runs since last win in 2022 but recent placed efforts over this trip at Chester have been creditable (second to Box To Box first occasion). 2 lb out of the weights.

Form: 759623

Forecasts

Spirit Dancer (11/10), Box To Box (7/2), Jean Baptiste (11/2), Brunch (7/1), Zozimus (12/1), Carolus Magnus (12/1)

SPIRIT DANCER should find this a bit easier than the John Smith's Cup a couple of weeks ago and can land this race for the second year running. Box To Box arrives on trhe back of some good efforts at Chester and is feared most ahead of Brunch, who is a potential class act but has stamina to prove.