Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At betmgm.co.uk Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 57.8s

(3)

Ziggy's Triton^p²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Alec Voikhansky| T: D O'Meara| OR: 75| D

2/1

Latest win at Musselburgh in August. 5/1, sixth of 9 in handicap at Newcastle (5f) 25 days ago. Runner-up off this mark over C&D in September and reproduction of that form would give him a real chance.

Form: 513256

(1)

Dc Cogent²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Oliver Carmichael⁽⁵⁾| T: B Smart| OR: 70| BF| D

2/1

10/3, respectable sixth of 14 in handicap at Newcastle (6f) 20 days ago. 1 lb lower now and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 628496

(2)

Lovat Scout¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Jack Nicholls⁽³⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 69

7/2

18/1, seventh of 9 in handicap at this C&D 10 days ago, hampered. Had shaped pretty well when fifth of 14 back from 11 months off in September (also over this C&D) and is probably better judged on that effort. Claims.

Form: 6836-57

(4)

Until Dawn^h¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Shay Farmer⁽⁵⁾| T: A D Brown| OR: 67| CD

9/1

C&D winner. Last of 9 in handicap (50/1) at Wolverhampton (6.1f) 14 days ago. Hood back on and it's easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 112759

(5)

Toolatetonegotiate^p²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽³⁾| T: Daisy Hitchins| OR: 65| D

13/2

Winner at Lingfield in September. 12/1, respectable fourth of 10 in handicap at Bath (5.7f, good) 25 days ago. Should make her presence felt.

Form: 433414

Forecasts

Ziggy's Triton (2/1), Dc Cogent (2/1), Lovat Scout (7/2), Toolatetonegotiate (13/2), Until Dawn (9/1)

The vote goes to LOVAT SCOUT, who was hampered at a crucial stage here recently and is better judged on his encouraging belated reappearance effort over C&D in September. Dropping back to 5f will help Dc Cogent and he rates the main danger, albeit only just as Ziggy's Triton is also accorded respect.