JenningsBet Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap

Off time: 18:51 | Winning time: 1m 39.73s

(5)

Star Of Orion¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Rob Hornby| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 94| C

17/2

Ended a 2-year losing run here around this time last year and made a perfectly reasonable start to life with his new yard after 10 months off when ninth of 18 in a 7f handicap at Goodwood (7f) 16 days ago. Entitled to be sharper for the run and can't be ruled out.

Form: 32443-9

(4)

Dutch Decoy⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Oliver Stammers| T: C Johnston| OR: 92| BF| CD

5/1

Reliable performer ran a cracker to fill the runner-up spot in the Golden Mile at Goodwood (8f, firm) for the second year running. However, wasn't in the same form at Chepstow last week.

Form: 805324

(3)

Classic¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 92| C

9/4

Course winner who continues to shape well, not getting a clear run on more than one occasion when sixth of 16 in Golden Mile at Goodwood (8f, firm) 14 days ago, running on. Big shout.

Form: 42-9296

(6)

Darkness^v¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91| CD

9/2

Bounced back to his best when landing a 10-runner handicap here (7f) in June, suited by the way the race developed. Solid fifth in Bunbury Cup back here next time and confirmed he's still on a handy mark when running well in the Golden Mile Handicap at Goodwood last time. Respected.

Form: 503154

(2)

Great Blasket^b²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 84| D

6/1

Has thrived on his racing this year and recorded a fourth win of the season at Nottingham in June. Respectable efforts last 2 starts, left poorly placed at Ascot (1m) latterly. Can give another good account.

Form: 112168

(1)

Waiting All Night^p⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: N Callan| T: R Spencer| OR: 82| C

4/1

First success since his debut when seeing off 8 rivals here at the beginning of the month. Beaten only by a 3-y-o back here last week and should be suited by the return to 1m.

Form: 952412

Forecasts

Classic (9/4), Waiting All Night (4/1), Darkness (9/2), Dutch Decoy (5/1), Great Blasket (6/1), Star Of Orion (17/2)

A tightly-knit sprint handicap with the vote going to CLASSIC, who admittedly finished behind a couple of these in the Golden Mile Handicap at Goodwood, but he didn't get a clear run on more than one occasion and, with the strong likelihood of him being seen to better effect here, he's taken to open his account for the season. Waiting All Night and Darkness head the opposition, though cases can be made for just about all.