Fitzdares Handicap

(1)

Shadow Brigade¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: George Scott| OR: 74

10/3

Third in 7f Kempton novice last summer but that's a bit of a standout in his 4 outings to date. Steps up significantly in trip for handicap debut. Oisin Murphy has been booked but others are more convincing.

Form: 738-7

(5)

Bintsaleh⁸⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 73

9/4

925,000 gns yearling but hasn't bettered fair form in 3 novice events at up to 1¼m. Still early days for a top stable, though, and no surprise were she to take a step forward now handicapping.

Form: 5-37

(3)

Lady Milton³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 72| D

7/2

Has done well in handicaps, winning first 3 (all-weather). Creditable efforts in defeat twice since, including third on turf latest, but it seems the assessor has caught up.

Form: 411-123

(2)

Impossible Mission²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Ray Dawson| T: J Butler| OR: 71

9/2

Won on nursery debut at Wolverhampton (9.5f) off 1 lb higher last November. Mixed record since but latest third of 5 at this course (11.4f, good to firm) was creditable. This return to a slightly shorter trip looks ideal.

Form: 1-67343

(4)

Darn Hot Dame^p1²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Ashley Lewis⁽⁵⁾| T: T Ward| OR: 61| C

4/1

The form of her 11.5f course win in May has been boosted. Below that level when a well-held fourth at Goodwood (1½m, good to firm) 4 weeks later but worth another chance in first-time cheekpieces with a good claimer taking a handy 5 lb off.

Form: 453514

Forecasts

Lady Milton (7/4), Impossible Mission (10/3), Bintsaleh (7/2), Darn Hot Dame (9/2), Shadow Brigade (8/1)

DARN HOT DAME failed to fire at Goodwood last time but continues to look well treated on the form she showed when winning here prior to that and can bounce back in first-time cheekpieces. Impossible Mission may benefit from the return to 1¼m and is taken to fill the forecast spot.