Solar Xpress Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 3m 5.27s

(2)

Study Of Words^p³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 95| BF

6/5

Progressed with each run at 2, easily winning 1¼m Newmarket maiden on final start. Confirmed he's useful when third of 5 in handicap back at Newmarket (1¼m again) on reappearance 5 weeks ago and that form has been boosted. Significantly up in trip now but he shapes as if he'll stay further.

Form: 521-3

(5)

Lopeo⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Jason Watson| T: D Menuisier| OR: 81

6/1

Goodwood maiden winner over 1m in the mud last September. Returned with a promising second of 7 in handicap (14/1) at this course (1½m, good to firm) 42 days ago. Up in trip. Respected.

Form: 415-2

(1)

Killer Whale⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: D Fentiman| T: A M Balding| OR: 77

14/1

Fair form, bumping into a useful sort of Godolphin's in maiden at Wolverhampton (1½m) on reappearance 63 days ago. His opening mark isn't obviously generous but his leading stable has recent winning form in this race.

Form: 72-2

(4)

Gaelic Approach¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: S D Bowen| T: C Johnston| OR: 76

15/2

Much improved having been gelded/switched to handicaps. Latest 1¾m Redcar success came in an uncompetitive small-field event but he's the type of 3-y-o handicapper his yard excels with and it's unlikely he's reached his limit.

Form: 25-2121

(6)

Siam Ruby³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Harry Vigors⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Beckett| OR: 76| BF

18/1

Second career success when making all in 9.5f Wolverhampton handicap in April. Creditable third of 4 at Salisbury (1¼m, good) since. Significantly up in trip.

Form: 4-1213

(3)

Any Which Way¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Zac Lloyd| T: M L W Bell| OR: 76

9/4

Much improved to make a successful start to his handicap career at Nottingham (1¼m, good to soft) on reappearance and did well from too far back when second of 7 at Windsor (11.5f, good to firm) 19 days ago. Open to further progress with this longer trip likely to suit.

Form: 058-12

Forecasts

Study Of Words (6/5), Any Which Way (9/4), Lopeo (6/1), Gaelic Approach (15/2), Killer Whale (14/1), Siam Ruby (18/1)

ANY WHICH WAY leaves the impression this longer trip could unlock more improvement and is preferred to Lopeo and Godolphin's Study of Words in this quite useful 3-y-o handicap.