Spillers Future Champions Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:45 | Winning time: 1m 45.76s

(1)

Best Rate¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: S C Cronin| T: R Hannon| OR: 87| D

9/4

Knocking on the door before belatedly opening his handicap account when over 1m at Ascot earlier this month prior to following up from a 2 lb lower mark in a 6-runner handicap at Pontefract (1m, good, 10/11) 12 days ago, quickening clear under hands-and-heels. Can give another bold bid.

Form: 432411

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(3)

Farasi Lane^p¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Oliver Carmichael⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 79| CD

9/1

Landed back-to-back handicaps at Wolverhampton in March for Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole before notching his third win of the season on debut for this yard in a 7-runner handicap at Ripon (1m, good) 11 days ago, responding well to edge a tight finish. Just 1 lb higher but this looks tougher.

Form: 465551

(4)

Happy Banner^p,t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Ashley Lewis| T: E Walker| OR: 76

3/1

It's eleven runs since his last win but he's finished placed on his last 5 outings, sporting first-time cheekpieces when second of 8 in handicap (3/1) at Epsom (8.5f, good to firm) 20 days ago. Beaten only by an unexposed 3-y-o there and he can be in the mix again.

Form: 62-3322

(5)

Jungle Ruler²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Toby Moore⁽⁷⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 84

15/8

Followed up debut win for Joseph O'Brien with success on stable debut at Southwell in January. Has proved consistent without really threatening to win a handicap since but is of strong interest now finally taking on his elders, with the step up in trip likely to suit as well.

Form: 444543

(2)

Brocklesby Bill^h¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Laura Coughlan| T: Kathy Turner| OR: 81

9/1

Well held in a deep race over 1¼m at Newbury on debut but showed much improved form to get off the mark in a 7f Chepstow maiden next time. Runner-up at Windsor on latest out but seemed anchored by his opening mark (now 2 lb lower) at Wolverhampton 12 days ago and he'll need to improve to take this.

Form: 0124

Forecasts

Jungle Ruler (15/8), Best Rate (9/4), Happy Banner (3/1), Brocklesby Bill (9/1), Farasi Lane (9/1)

JUNGLE RULER should benefit from the weight allowance he receives from his elders on this belated first start outside of his age group and can make his first start at 1m a winning one. The hat-trick seeking Best Rate looks the obvious threat, with the in-form Happy Banner also considered.