16:10 Beverley

Wednesday 28 May 2025

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

Connexin's Smooth Switch Handicap

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 1m 47.89s

(7)

Phoenix Fire^p²²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Rhys Elliott⁽⁵⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 60

16/1

It's now fourteen runs since sole career success in 2022 and he ended the last campaign on a low-key note, losing place over 2f out when eighth of 10 in handicap at Redcar (7f, soft, 6/1) in October. Not the easiest to assess on this first start for 7 months.

Form: 200888-

(6)

Dr Rio¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: Zak Wheatley⁽³⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 60| C| D

6/1

4-time course winner. 33/1, eighth of 12 in handicap at this C&D (good to firm) 15 days ago, keeping on when not clear run final 1f. Comes here operating 1 lb below last winning mark and he's one to bear in mind.

Form: 1854-78

(3)

Hostelry^p¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Kaiya Fraser⁽³⁾| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 60| D

11/4

8-y-o mare who is building up a good partnership with this rider, gaining a second win from last 4 starts in 11-runner handicap at Hamilton (8.3f) 12 days ago, staying on to lead well inside final 1f. Sound claims again in this groove nudged up 3 lb.

Form: 7-91231

(5)

Distinction^v¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: P J McDonald| T: J Mackie| OR: 59| CD

5/2

C&D winner who was successful 4 times during 2024. Not disgraced in much stronger company when seventh of 12 in handicap at Kempton (1m) 13 days ago and this much more suitable in bid to follow-up his victory in this race 12 months ago. Interesting.

Form: 478367

(1)

Madame Plaintiff²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A D Brown| OR: 58

17/2

Fair 7f winner for Gavin Cromwell in Ireland who wasn't disgraced starting out for new yard/after 6 months off when fifth of 8 in handicap at Newcastle (8f) 26 days ago. Rossa Ryan an eye-catching booking here and one to consider from career-low mark.

Form: 65737-5

(4)

Very Classy⁴²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: J P Sullivan| T: Suzzanne France| OR: 54

40/1

Lightly-raced maiden. 20/1, thirteenth of 14 in handicap at Southwell (11.1f) in spring of last year. Makes belated return to action having switched yards and she looks best watched.

Form: 754/30-

(8)

Panama City^t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Shay Farmer⁽⁷⁾| T: I W McInnes| OR: 53| C| D

4/1

Course winner. Latest win at Newcastle in December. Good second of 10 in handicap at Ripon (8f, good to firm, 12/1) 10 days ago. No reason why he won't be thereabouts again.

Form: 10-2042

(2)

Mist Rollin In¹¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Jonny Peate| T: Steph Hollinshead| OR: 48

33/1

Placed in first 2 handicaps last year but below form both outings thereafter and he offered little after 5 months off/starting out for new yard when last of 11 in handicap at Southwell (11.1f) in February. Needs to bounce back returned to this shorter trip.

Form: 9/3289-0

(9)

Penny Ghent²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: S Whitaker| OR: 47

22/1

Remains a maiden after 16 Flat runs but did shape as if better for the run returning from 5 months off when eighth of 11 in handicap at Pontefract (8f, good) 28 days ago. Needs to build on that now.

Form: 90426-8

Forecasts

Distinction (5/2), Hostelry (11/4), Panama City (4/1), Dr Rio (6/1), Madame Plaintiff (17/2), Phoenix Fire (16/1), Penny Ghent (22/1), Mist Rollin In (33/1), Very Classy (40/1)

Last year's winner DISTINCTION didn't shape at all badly when finishing midfield in a much stronger affair at Kempton 2 weeks ago and, now operating 8 lb below his last winning mark, he could well be ready to strike returned to class 6 company. Hostelry is 2-4 since partnering with Kaiya Fraser and she's an obvious threat, with Panama City and Dr Rio also of interest. Confidence behind Madame Plaintiff in the betting would also look significant.