Nelson Restaurant For Classic Raceday Dining Handicap

Off time: 14:54 | Winning time: 2m 31.82s

(3)

Betelgeuse^b1¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: S M Levey| T: S Woods| OR: 65

9/4

Wide-margin winner at Southwell (1¾m) in October and returned with good runner-up efforts there in April. Not in the same form at Yarmouth next 2 outings, but in cheekpieces he ran well when second of 5 at Newmarket (2m) 18 days ago. Major player switched to blinkers.

Form: 5-22532

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(1)

Joanna Hiffernan²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: David Probert| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 62

4/1

Bred to stay well and showed more than on debut when 2¾ lengths fourth of 5 in maiden at Windsor (11.4f) in May. Wasn't able to find any further progress on the turf at Lingfield 26 days ago, but she could still have more to offer now handicapping.

Form: 644

(4)

Lenny's Spirit²³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Charles Bishop| T: Adam Kirby| OR: 62| D

18/1

Went close to making a successful debut for this yard when third of 12 at Lingfield (1¼m) in March. Hasn't kicked on since, though had excuses (badly hampered 4f out) when well held at Brighton 23 days ago.

Form: 356807

(6)

Trojan Truth^b²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Darragh Keenan| T: E De Giles| OR: 61| CD

17/2

Typically slowly away but recorded a hat-trick last summer, including success over C&D. Good effort when runner-up at Chepstow on second start this season, though wasn't in the same form at Doncaster 24 days ago. Capable of getting involved back down in grade.

Form: 523-626

(2)

Spec Of Light¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Rob Hornby| T: A Forbes| OR: 56

12/1

Runner-up at Southwell in February but has failed to repeat that in 4 subsequent outings, again finishing down the field back on turf at Nottingham (1¼m) 12 days ago.

Form: 727588

(5)

Ottoman^b⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Saffie Osborne| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 53| C

13/8

Sole success came at this course (1¼m) last summer. Placed both starts last month, runner-up over C&D on the second occasion, before doing too much in front fitted with blinkers when fifth of 6 at Carlisle (11f) 5 days ago. Could bounce back at this venue.

Form: 50-8325

Forecasts

Ottoman (13/8), Betelgeuse (9/4), Joanna Hiffernan (4/1), Trojan Truth (17/2), Spec Of Light (12/1), Lenny's Spirit (18/1)

In first-time headgear, BETELGEUSE produced a good effort when beaten only by the well-backed favourite at Newmarket last time and he can build on that effort with blinkers now applied. The chief threat could come from Joanna Hiffernan as she makes her handicap debut.