Fitzdares Handicap

Off time: 14:08 | Winning time: 2m 29.10s

(3)

Opera Wave^h²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: D M Simcock| OR: 70| D

4/1

Progressive initially in handicaps, getting off the mark at Southwell (11f) in September. Failed to land the odds in 3-runner contest at Newmarket final outing that season and looked rusty on return at Kempton (1½m) earlier in the month. Can prove better than these with the hood back on.

Form: 55212-5

(2)

Seventy²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Paddy Bradley| T: R Burdon| OR: 65| C

10/11

Carried on his good spell from all-weather back to turf when winning 7-runner event at this course (1¼m, good) 3 weeks ago, doing well to overcome major trouble in running in a steadily-run race over a trip that had seemed shy of his best. Should be in the mix again back up in trip.

Form: 8-51331

(1)

Mrembo^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 58| CD

7/4

Ended long losing sequence at Bath last May and has returned in reasonably decent nick this season, fourth of 10 over C&D (good to firm) a fortnight ago. Lurks just 1 lb above her last winning mark so worth keeping an eye on.

Form: 063-534

Non-Runners

(4)

Free World¹²

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: Ian Williams J: Edward Greatrex

(6)

Sea Of Charm¹⁴

Weight: 9-1| Age: 8

T: G Nicholls J: William Cox

(5)

Imperial Cult²⁵

Weight: 9-0| Age: 7

T: George Baker J: N Callan

Forecasts

Seventy (10/11), Mrembo (7/4), Imperial Cult (2/1), Opera Wave (4/1), Sea Of Charm (14/1), Free World (20/1)

Preference is for OPERA WAVE, who looked rusty on return at Kempton earlier in the month and with her usual hood reapplied, David Simcock's filly can prove better than these back in calmer waters. Seventy and Imperial Cult were both last-time-out winners and they can give the selection most to think about in that order.