Tennent's Lager Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 17:20 | Winning time: 2m 59.62s

(4)

Elysian Flame^p¹⁴⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-13| J: Billy Garritty| T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward| OR: 92

20/1

22/1, creditable fifth of 32 in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (18f, good to soft) when last seen in October 2021. Resumes here for new connections on a potentially handy mark, but it's hard to be confident about his prospects on the back of such a lengthy absence.

Form: 315335/

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(1)

Spinning Wheel⁹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Loughnane| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 95

2/1

Thrice-raced winner. 2 wins from 3 runs this year. 16¾ lengths eleventh of 13 to Carmers in Queen's Vase (25/1) at Royal Ascot (14.2f, firm) on latest start in June. Faced with a more palatable assignment on this handicap debut and, still armed with potential give his low mileage, he's a key player.

Form: 110

(3)

Golden Handshake²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 88

5/2

Lightly-raced winner. 2 wins from 5 runs this year, the latest at Newbury in July. Eleventh of 12 in handicap (15/2) at York (13.8f, good to firm) 26 days ago. Well worth another chance in view of previous promise.

Form: 92110

(6)

Surrey Belle^t¹⁰³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: O McSweeney| T: A Keatley| OR: 78| BF

85/40

Won 8-runner handicap hurdle (evens) at Hexham (16.2f, good to soft) 103 days ago on latest start in June. Went close both starts in this sphere during the spring and she won't go down without a fight.

Form: 1717-22

(5)

Tafsir^p⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Rhys Elliott⁽⁵⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 76| CD

7/1

C&D winner. Thirteen runs since last win in 2024. 40/1, ninth of 13 in handicap at Doncaster (11.9f, good) 6 days ago. Looks vulnerable.

Form: 353529

(2)

Haveyoumissedme³⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 76

33/1

Sixth of 9 in handicap (17/2) at Redcar (14f, good to soft) 11 months ago and, absent since, he's entitled to come on for the run.

Form: 042516-

Forecasts

Spinning Wheel (2/1), Surrey Belle (85/40), Golden Handshake (5/2), Tafsir (7/1), Elysian Flame (20/1), Haveyoumissedme (33/1)

Consistent dual-purpose performer SURREY BELLE was in good form earlier this year, runner-up both starts in this sphere and a three-time winner over hurdles, including at Hexham when last seen in June. She is taken to continue the good work back from a break, with the 3-y-os Golden Handshake and Spinning Wheel feared most, in that order of preference.