Molson Coors Handicap

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 1m 43.84s

(2)

Hot And Cold²²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 75| D

10/3

Far more clued up than on first 2 starts when winning 7-runner novice at Newcastle (1m) in November, pulling clear with one who has gone on to make the frame in the Ribblesdale. Bred for further, but she's still of plenty of interest on seasonal/handicap debut.

Form: 561-

(1)

Dark Sovereign¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 73

11/8

Well-bred type who took a step forward sent handicapping when a staying-on fourth of 10 at Sandown 18 days ago. Major player with further improvement to come as he goes up in trip.

Form: 45-34

(4)

Lyra Lea²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: B R Millman| OR: 73

5/1

Made fourth start a winning one on the all-weather at Lingfield (7f) last summer. Has shown better form when making the frame both starts this season, beaten only by a handicap debutant at Chepstow 24 days ago. Can give another good account back up in trip.

Form: 1873-42

(5)

Legacy Rock^t³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: David Probert| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 72| BF| D

7/1

Has benefited from the step up to 1m, recording back-to-back wins at Windsor in May. Good effort in defeat when runner-up at Nottingham last time, making an eye-catching move into contention, and he can remain competitive.

Form: 6-94112

(3)

Station Bar³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 67| D

11/1

Back up to 1m and on ground firmer than good for the first time, got off the mark in 3-runner handicap at Bath 5 weeks ago. This is tougher up in grade, though he remains unexposed under these conditions.

Form: 22-4681

(6)

John Harrison¹⁷⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: D Egan| T: A King| OR: 63

10/1

Offered some encouragement to end last year and improved on handicap debut when 2 lengths fourth of 6 on the all-weather at Lingfield in January. More required as he returns from 6-month break (has been gelded).

Form: 082-4

Forecasts

Dark Sovereign (11/8), Hot And Cold (10/3), Lyra Lea (5/1), Legacy Rock (7/1), John Harrison (10/1), Station Bar (11/1)

DARK SOVEREIGN showed more than previously switched to handicaps when making the frame at Sandown last time and, with this extra 1f promising to suit, he can continue his progress to get off the mark. The in-form Legacy Rock and handicap-debutant Hot And Cold are the pair feared most.