Coopers Marquees Handicap

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 3m 36.97s

(2)

Galahad Threepwood^h²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: Rowan Scott| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 65

12/1

Thirteen runs since last win in 2021. Hood on for 1st time in this code, ninth of 13 in handicap at Ayr (13.1f, good to firm, 80/1) 4 weeks ago, having hopeless task from position. Up in trip. Mark has eased further but would need to see market support to make him of interest.

Form: 4/70599

(5)

Grand Scheme^h,t⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Billy Loughnane| T: S England| OR: 64

28/1

20/1, hinted at temperament when eighth of 9 in handicap at Haydock (14f, firm) 10 weeks ago, carrying head awkwardly straight. Makes tapeta debut. Plenty to prove at present.

Form: 0/70-058

(4)

Zivaniya^b,t²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: P Mulrennan| T: H Palmer| OR: 63| CD

9/1

3 wins from 9 runs this year, latest over C&D in August. 8/1, seventh of 8 in handicap at Kempton (16f) just over 3 weeks ago, dropping away entering final 1f. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 171687

(3)

Val Bassett^p1,t³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: R Menzies| OR: 62

3/1

Unreliable sort. 12/1, creditable third of 12 in handicap at this course (12.4f) 3 days ago, late headway. Significantly up in trip. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 48-6443

(6)

Unique Spirit^v¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 65| CD

16/5

Confirmed promise of previous run when winning 5-runner handicap at this C&D (13/8) 17 days ago, overcoming pace bias to edge ahead final 50 yds. Remains of interest.

Form: 947321

(1)

Catalan King^b1¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: E Bethell| OR: 64| BF

6/4

Showed improved form and looked a proper stayer when second of 6 on handicap debut at Ayr (15f, good, 9/4) 17 days ago. Makes all-weather debut. Blinkers on 1st time. Has to be taken seriously.

Form: 5882

Forecasts

Catalan King (6/4), Val Bassett (3/1), Unique Spirit (16/5), Zivaniya (9/1), Galahad Threepwood (12/1), Grand Scheme (28/1)

CATALAN KING left previous efforts behind switched to a handicap when finding just one too good at Ayr earlier this month and, with first-time blinkers applied to eke out that bit extra, Ed Bethell's charge is fancied to go a place better on all-weather debut at the expense of Unique Spirit, who opened his account over C&D recently and remains of interest from just 2 lb higher. Val Bassett looks best of the remainder.