Monty Bennetts 18th Birthday Handicap

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 2m 5.99s

(4)

Annexation²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-10| J: Cieren Fallon| T: A W Carroll| OR: 58| D

4/1

Veteran who was well supported and bounced back to form when second in a C&D handicap in June. Raced freely with little pace on when last of 7 back here 4 weeks ago (finished lame) but he appeals as the type to bounce back.

Form: 544527

(3)

It's Life¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Charlie Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: Kathy Turner| OR: 55

9/2

Ended 2025 on a low-key note but caused a surprise after 10 months off when shedding maiden tag at Salisbury (1m) 11 days ago, albeit going with little fluency and edging ahead late on. Not certain to be in same form on that evidence, though.

Form: 72879-1

(5)

West Hill Rosie⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: George Downing| T: J W Mullins| OR: 53

40/1

Well held in a bumper/3 starts in novice/maidens and she failed to improve for switch to handicaps when down the field in a C&D contest 45 days ago. Needs to find some improvement.

Form: 0053

(2)

Buckland Belle¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Edward Greatrex| T: Ollie Sangster| OR: 60

11/10

Consistent in handicaps, opening her account at Windsor (1m) in May. Placed next 3 starts and made most of good opportunity when doubling her tally at Leicester (1m) 2 weeks ago. Rates the most solid of these now stamina is tested further.

Form: 513221

(6)

Port Darwin²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Rob Hornby| T: C Johnston| OR: 60

6/1

Doubled his tally at Hamilton (9f) in June and excuses on both starts since, undone by the lack of pace when fifth of 6 in handicap returned there (11f) 25 days ago. Bounce back not ruled out.

Form: 276155

(1)

Beryl's Girl^p³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 60| CD

10/1

Showed improved form equipped with first-time cheekpieces when landing a 6-runner C&D handicap under a change of tactics in June. Ran below that level following a 5 lb rise in the weights when seventh at Leicester since, though.

Form: 3-46617

Forecasts

Buckland Belle (11/10), Annexation (4/1), It's Life (9/2), Port Darwin (6/1), Beryl's Girl (10/1), West Hill Rosie (40/1)

BUCKLAND BELLE rates easily the most solid in this field on the back of success at Leicester 2 weeks ago and she's fancied to prove tough to contain from a 6 lb higher mark over this longer trip. Port Darwin has had excuses of late and can be seen to better effect here, with veteran Annexation completing the dangers.