Aspall Handicap

Off time: 20:24 | Winning time: 2m 13.91s

(1)

Shimmering Sands^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 75| D

10/3

Has turned over a new leaf since returning, ending a long losing run at Pontefract (1¼m) in June before following up in emphatic fashion over the same C&D from a 4 lb higher mark later in the month. Up another 8 lb now though as he bids to land the hat-trick against a pair less than half his age.

Form: 4534-11

(2)

Lucky Hero⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Billy Loughnane| T: D O'Meara| OR: 75| D

5/6

Improved when winning 1¼m apprentice handicap at Redcar 9 days ago by 5 lengths from Optician. Escapes a penalty for that success and will take plenty of beating if arriving in the same form.

Form: 8-10431

(3)

Blue Noon¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: R Hannon| OR: 75

9/4

Consistent sort that arrives on the back of 2 placed efforts, taking a slight step forward when 4½ lengths second of 5 to Cyrano De Bergerac at Sandown a fortnight ago.

Form: 4-43632

Forecasts

Lucky Hero (5/6), Blue Noon (9/4), Shimmering Sands (10/3)

LUCKY HERO improved when winning at Redcar recently and is taken to follow up from an unchanged mark. Blue Noon is reliable and rates the chief danger, ahead of hat-trick-seeking Shimmering Sands, who is up another 8 lb.