Bet At racingtv.com Handicap

4YO plus | Class 5 | 1m 53y | 6 Runners | Turf

(5)

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Morgan Cole⁽⁵⁾| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 72| D

Three wins from 9 runs last year. After 6 months off, not seen to best effect when ninth of 10 in handicap at Lingfield (8f, AW, 25/1) 3 weeks ago, very slowly away before denied a clear run. Others still make more appeal.

Form: 31176-9

(4)

Crownthorpe^p³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: D Swift| T: A D Brown| OR: 72| D

Three wins from 10 runs last year. Failed to step forward from his recent run when sixth of 10 in handicap at Newcastle (8f, 9/1) a month ago. Has dropped below his last winning mark but more needed to take advantage.

Form: 2047-66

(6)

Harswell Duke¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Jonny Peate⁽³⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 72| CD

C&D winner. Eleven runs since last win in 2023, but ran better than for a while when third of 12 in handicap (10/1) at Pontefract (8f, heavy) 10 days ago. Can make his presence felt from his current mark.

Form: 670-603

(2)

Big Bear Hug^p⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: T E Whelan| T: A West| OR: 70| BF| CD

C&D winner who doubled her tally when scoring at Newmarket in November. Has returned in good heart this year, creditable third of 13 in handicap at Bath (10.2f, heavy, 7/2) 5 days ago. Respected.

Form: 6317-23

(1)

Astral Spirit¹⁶⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: S W Kelly| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 70| BF

Again ran well when second of 10 to Look Back Smiling (won again on his return) in handicap at Doncaster (7f, heavy, 16/5) when last seen in October. Could be ready to open her account on her reappearance.

Form: 228322-

(3)

Lunanera^p1,t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 68| D

After 5 months off (had wind op) and in first-time tongue strap, back on track when fourth of 11 in handicap (8/1) at Lingfield (10f, AW) 3 weeks ago. Task is now to build on that effort with cheekpieces added.

Form: 31000-4

Forecasts

Astral Spirit (11/4), Big Bear Hug (3/1), Harswell Duke (7/2), Lunanera (5/1), Lenny's Spirit (8/1), Crownthorpe (8/1)

ASTRAL SPIRIT placed 6 times from her 8 starts last year, finding only an improver too strong at Doncaster on her final outing, so she is taken to get her head in front having shown that she handles testing conditions. Both of Big Bear Hug's wins have come on ground softer than good and she is feared most, ahead of Harswell Duke.