Churchill Tyres Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 2m 10.27s

(4)

Dandy's Angel^p⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: Tom Kiely-Marshall⁽³⁾| T: J S Wainwright| OR: 60| CD

9/2

Has 6 course and distance wins but form has been modest, finishing 7th of 11 in handicap here (11/1) 6 days ago, never better than mid-field. Cheekpieces return which could help spark a revival.

Form: 156467

(2)

Hibernate¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Mason Paetel⁽³⁾| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 64| D

3/1

Three seconds and a win in last five starts. Second of 7 in handicap at Leicester (7/2) 14 days ago, carrying on good spell from the front after a break. Should remain competitive.

Form: 752122

(6)

Mystical Maria¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Warren Fentiman⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 59| D

9/4

Better form on turf including a recent win. Third of 7 in 11f AW handicap at Southwell (7/1) 19 days ago, ran just respectably when reverting to AW. Returns to turf where last win came and looks competitive off current mark.

Form: 855613

(5)

Hill O Rue⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: O McSweeney| T: K A Ryan| OR: 61

10/3

Won at Carlisle (9f) in May but finished last of 4 at Ripon over 12f (7/1) 56 days ago, taking strong hold and soon beaten.

Form: 7-23154

(3)

Wait And Hope^b⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Archie Young⁽³⁾| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 46| D

11/1

Has gone through the motions lately, hinted at revival when ridden more prominently as 6th of 9 in 12f handicap at Thirsk (18/1) 8 days ago. Decidedly patchy profile after 9 runs without success since May win.

Form: 457566

(1)

Hickton⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Zak Wheatley| T: D Carroll| OR: 46

18/1

Has placed in handicaps but never won, finishing seventh of 9 at Thirsk over 12f (7/1) 8 days ago. Needs to settle better to have any chance.

Form: 603237

Forecasts

Mystical Maria (9/4), Hibernate (3/1), Hill O Rue (10/3), Dandy's Angel (9/2), Wait And Hope (11/1), Hickton (18/1)

HIBERNATE has been in excellent form with three seconds and a win in his last five starts, carrying on his good spell when second at Leicester 14 days ago. Mystical Maria returns to turf where her best performances have come, including a recent win. Dandy's Angel boasts six course and distance wins but needs to recapture that form, with the return of cheekpieces potentially helping.