20:10 Southwell

Thursday 29 August 2024

All17:4518:1418:4319:1219:4120:1020:40

Tote.co.uk Who'll Take The Crown Racing League Race 41 Handicap (Trainers Registered To Racing League)

Off time: 20:11 | Winning time: 2m 19.31s

(11)

Speechman^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Ben Robinson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 92

150/1

Useful performer in France but offered little at unflattering odds on his first outing for this yard at Windsor (10f, good to firm) a fortnight ago. Dropped 3 lb but easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 6-31299

(6)

Cracksking¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 90

9/2

Both wins have come on the AW but ran respectably back on turf when fourth of 10 in handicap at Ascot (12f, good to firm, 17/2) 19 days ago, just never in a position to really challenge. Each-way claims.

Form: 1-52134

(10)

King Lear^t1,p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 90

8/1

4/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, failed to come on for recent run when 4½ lengths sixth of 7 to Fantasy Believer in handicap at Chepstow (10f, good to soft) 3 weeks ago. Makes all-weather debut and a first-time tongue strap is added.

Form: 4126-66

(5)

Dream Harder^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: K T O'Neill| T: Ian Williams| OR: 90| D

13/2

Twelve runs since last win in 2023 but ran as well as he's ever done when head second of 10 to Insanity at Ascot (1½m, good to firm, 20/1) 19 days ago. Not taken lightly back on all-weather.

Form: 652862

(13)

Great Bedwyn⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 89

5/1

Resumed winning ways at Newbury in July and backed it up with a very good third of 13 in handicap at Goodwood (14f) earlier in the month. Didn't appear to quite get home over at York (16.2f) 8 days ago but continued in top form nonetheless so remains of interest back at this trip.

Form: 1-24136

(7)

Fantasy Believer²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Saffie Osborne| T: E Walker| OR: 87

14/1

2-2 this year, doing remarkably well to supplement his Ascot success when winning 7-runner handicap (9/1) at Chepstow (10f, good to soft) 3 weeks ago, losing even more ground at the start than usual. Not one to take a short price about given his antics at the start but at the top of his game.

Form: 3849-11

(8)

Mighty Nebula²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: N Callan| T: R Varian| OR: 87| BF

11/2

Won maiden at Kempton in April. 7/2, creditable fourth of 12 in handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f) 4 weeks ago, staying on gradually (stronger pace would have seen him to better effect). Upped in trip and remains unexposed.

Form: 6-13424

(4)

Cockalorum⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: D Allan| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 84

18/1

Latest win at Beverley in June. Acquitted himself very well pitched into a much deeper affair when fourth of 17 in handicap at York (10.2f, good to firm, 22/1) 5 days ago, well positioned. Not taken lightly if coping with this quick turnaround.

Form: 513254

(3)

Walhaan^t⁷^{(ex 4)}

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Finley Marsh| T: Ciaran Murphy| OR: 79| D

11/1

12/1, capitalised on the drop in grade in smooth fashion to win 15-runner handicap at Leopardstown (9f, good) 7 days ago. Carries penalty. Back up in trip. Not dismissed back on these shores.

Form: 165961

(2)

Bizarre Law^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 79

10/1

Twelve runs since last win in 2022. 17/2, turned in a rare poor effort when last of 8 in handicap at Chepstow (12f, good to soft) 3 weeks ago, dropping away rather tamely despite having been allowed to set just a modest pace. Must bounce back but can.

Form: 34-6428

(1)

Life On The Rocks^v¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: 68

40/1

4 wins from 13 runs this year, latest in 11-runner handicap (28/1) at Windsor (10f, good to firm) 2 weeks ago, leading final 1f having had to weave way through from 2f out. Nudged up just 2 lb and fancied to go well again (yet to win on all-weather, however).

Form: 114331

(9)

Alpen Power¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 74

8/1

15/2, took advantage of a drop in the weights when winning 8-runner handicap at Kempton (12f) 17 days ago, edging ahead final 50 yds having had to pick way through 2f out. 3 lb higher and unexposed at the trip, this sole 3-y-o in the line-up is high on the shortlist.

Form: 943581

Non-Runners

(12)

Simply Sondheim²⁶

Weight: 9-11| Age: 5

T: George Baker J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Cracksking (9/2), Great Bedwyn (5/1), Mighty Nebula (11/2), Dream Harder (13/2), King Lear (8/1), Alpen Power (8/1), Bizarre Law (10/1), Walhaan (11/1), Fantasy Believer (14/1), Simply Sondheim (14/1), Cockalorum (18/1), Life On The Rocks (40/1), Speechman (150/1)

Several in with a shout in the penultimate contest of Racing League 2024 but sole 3-y-o ALPEN POWER makes most appeal for Charlie Johnston having taken advantage of a drop in the weights at Kempton earlier this month. Nudged up 3 lb, he can follow up at the expense of Dream Harder, who was seemingly better than ever when narrowly denied at Ascot recently. Mighty Nebula, who is having his first crack at this trip, can edge out Great Bedwyn for third.