20:20 Salisbury

Saturday 13 July 2024

All17:4018:1518:4519:2019:5020:20

AJN Steelstock Handicap

Off time: 20:20 | Winning time: 2m 36.50s

(4)

Aikhal^p,t⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: A J Farragher| T: J A Osborne| OR: 82

5/1

Thirteen runs since last win in 2022 but down in the weights and ran well when second of 9 in handicap at Sandown (14f, good) last week. In the mix with a repeat.

Form: 600642

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(5)

God Of Thunder⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Liam Keniry| T: R Hannon| OR: 82| D

9/1

Produced a career best to land a decent prize at Lingfield in March. Below form both outings since, though did race closer to the strong pace than ideal at Newcastle last time.

Form: 257160

(7)

Caustic^t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: T E Whelan| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 80| D

6/1

Winner at Lingfield in February and showed improved form when third of 12 in handicap at Kempton (11f) 17 days ago, albeit seen to advantage.

Form: 3-1793

(6)

Lexington Knight^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Hayley Turner| T: R Hannon| OR: 79| D

9/2

Latest win at Doncaster in May. Creditable third of 7 in handicap at Goodwood (12f, good, 9/2) 22 days ago, better placed than most.

Form: 333213

(2)

Premiere Ligne^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: George Bass⁽³⁾| T: H Morrison| OR: 79| BF| D

10/3

Confirmed the promise of his reappearance when scoring with a bit to spare at Lingfield in May and again shaped well when second of 7 in handicap (15/8) at Goodwood (12f, good) 22 days ago. Remains of interest.

Form: 486-312

(1)

Enochdhu²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Ross Coakley| T: J G Portman| OR: 77| D

7/1

Winner at Bath in April and ran at least as well in defeat at Goodwood (14f, good) 29 days ago, having run of race.

Form: 84-5412

(3)

Croeso Cymraeg²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 9-4| J: Christian Howarth⁽³⁾| T: H J Evans| OR: 75| CD

8/1

C&D winner who shaped as if still in good form when fifth of 9 in handicap at this course (9.9f, good, 15/2) 27 days ago, needing stronger gallop. Lower in the weights than when winning last 2 runnings of this race and very much of interest.

Form: 257-555

(8)

Alpine Stroll¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Darragh Keenan| T: M Wigham| OR: 67

14/1

Seventeen runs since last win in 2022. Gambled on but failed to beat a rival on first since leaving Alexandra Dunn in handicap at Nottingham (14f, good to firm, 7/2) 16 days ago. Needs to leave that behind.

Form: 6394-08

Forecasts

Premiere Ligne (10/3), Lexington Knight (9/2), Aikhal (5/1), Caustic (6/1), Enochdhu (7/1), Croeso Cymraeg (8/1), God Of Thunder (9/1), Alpine Stroll (14/1)

CROESO CYMRAEG is in the veteran stage of his career now, but he's lower in the weights than when winning the last 2 renewals of this race and, with a likely strong pace sure to suit, he looks sure to go well at the very least. Premiere Ligne succumbed only narrowly to the late rally of a really game one at Goodwood on his most recent outing and can continue in top form, with Aikhal completing the shortlist having gone close from a much-reduced mark at Sandown last week.