BetMGM 80s Day Saturday 29 August Handicap

Off time: 19:23 | Winning time: 1m 29.27s

(4)

Desert Shadow^v²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 85

7/2

Was well backed and having done nothing wrong for a change, readily won 4-runner event at Lingfield (7.6f, good to firm) just over 3 weeks ago, sealing it with a turn of foot. Nudged up 3 lb for that and could well kick on now up and running.

Form: 22-0521

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(2)

Tavana¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: S M Levey| T: E Smyth-Osbourne| OR: 84| D

14/1

Dual winner at 2 yrs who got back on track returned to calmer waters when second of 6 in handicap at Newbury (7f, firm) just under 3 weeks ago, beaten only by one that was plainly ahead of her mark. Others more appealing for win purposes.

Form: 74-9082

(1)

Sunny Smile^p,t³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: H Palmer| OR: 80WS

28/1

Successful in a Hamilton maiden (good to firm) last summer. Yet to repeat his juvenile form this season, most recently when second of 6 over C&D (good to firm) last month. Looks vulnerable once again (has had a breathing operation).

Form: 142-022

(6)

Ascending Star³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 80| BF

7/4

Third both starts last summer for James Owen. Showed much improved form on stable debut to open his account in 5-runner novice at Lingfield (7.6f, good) on return and matched rather than bettered that form when third of 10 on handicap bow here last month. Remains of interest dropped to 7f.

Form: 33-13

(5)

Lunario^t,v²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Marco Ghiani| T: L A Dace| OR: 73| CD

12/1

Won back-to-back handicaps in blinkers this time last year (including this race). Well held first 4 starts this season but revived suddenly when winning 17-runner event at Ascot (7f, firm) last month, racing wide from the others from highest draw. No certainty to be in the same mood here.

Form: 8-97001

(3)

Thursday Girl¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: K Shoemark| T: E Walker| OR: 76

7/4

Took advantage of a good opportunity to break her run of seconds and get off the mark in 5-runner maiden at Nottingham (8.3f, good to firm) just under 3 weeks ago, doing do so in workmanlike fashion in a muddling affair. Should be competitive back in a handicap.

Form: 5-2221

Forecasts

Thursday Girl (7/4), Ascending Star (7/4), Desert Shadow (7/2), Lunario (12/1), Tavana (14/1), Sunny Smile (28/1)

ASCENDING STAR arguably did too much too soon with front-running tactics retained when third on handicap debut here last month but with the drop to 7f in his favour, Owen Burrows' 3-y-o is fancied to double his tally. His main danger may emerge from Thursday Girl, who took advantage of a good opportunity at Nottingham recently and should remain competitive back in a handicap. Desert Shadow rounds off the shortlist.