Allstone 'William The Lion' Handicap

Off time: 20:14 | Winning time: 1m 12.89s

(6)

Never Dark¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Jonny Peate⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 78

20/1

One win from 2 runs this year. 22/1, seventh of 9 in handicap at Musselburgh (5f, good to soft) 10 days ago. Back up in trip and looks vulnerable off present mark.

Form: 6125-17

(5)

Slainte Mhath⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Jason Hart| T: K Scott| OR: 77| CD

1/1

Three-time C&D winner. 3 wins from 9 runs this year. Latest win here in July. 2/1, creditable second of 6 in handicap at this C&D (soft) 9 days ago. Likely to be in the thick of things once again.

Form: 219142

(3)

Sound Reason^b¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Billy Garritty| T: K A Ryan| OR: 77

11/2

Latest win at Beverley in July. Below form tenth of 19 in handicap at York (5f, good, 14/1) 16 days ago. That run can be overlooked (poorly drawn) but hasn't appeared to quite get home in 3 previous attempts at this trip.

Form: 076210

(4)

Love De Vega¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: B A Curtis| T: C Johnston| OR: 76| D

8/1

Seventh of 11 in handicap (8/1) at Goodwood (7f, heavy) 12 days ago. Needs to bounce back but dangerous to discount following a helping hand from the assessor (now 4 lb below last winning mark).

Form: 3770-67

(2)

William Dewhirst¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: P Mulrennan| T: B Haslam| OR: 74| D

13/2

Winner at Thirsk in May. 8/1, creditable third of 7 in handicap at Doncaster (6f, soft) 18 days ago, having hopeless task from position. This assignment calls for a clear career-best.

Form: 421663

(1)

Iris Dancer^b⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: A Mullen| T: T Davidson| OR: 65| CD

5/1

Three-time C&D winner, the latest in June. 9/1, respectable third of 6 in handicap at this C&D (soft) 9 days ago. Has good chance on pick of form (1½ lengths adrift of Slainte Mhath that day and 2 lb better off with that rival now). Should be in the mix.

Form: 214853

Forecasts

Slainte Mhath (1/1), Iris Dancer (5/1), Sound Reason (11/2), William Dewhirst (13/2), Love De Vega (8/1), Never Dark (20/1)

Conditions were probably too testing for LOVE DE VEGA at Goodwood and, back down in trip on what should be better ground, he is worth chancing off a tempting mark. Iris Dancer was behind Slainte Mhath over C&D recently but may well reverse those placings on slightly better terms this time. Sound Reason remains feasibly treated but he has failed to shine when previously tried over 6f.