Sporting Times Apprentice Handicap

Placed twice last autumn and shaped as if retaining ability returning over a trip which has tended to stretch him when sixth of 12 in handicap (40/1) at Kempton (11f) 74 days ago. Feasibly treated if able to build on that.

Made a winning return at Doncaster in March and has taken his form up a level since without looking one for maximum faith, taking time to knuckle down when a nose second of 9 at Goodwood (1½m, good to soft) in June. Attitude has let him down on his last 2 outings and more severe headgear now added.

Looked suited by patient tactics when ready winner of a 5-runner 1½m Doncaster handicap in July and backed that up when length second in similar event at Salisbury 7 days later. Went off at long odds and was never involved upped in grade at Ascot last month.

Steadily progressive across 3 runs at 2 yrs but has only matched that form in 2 handicaps earlier this year. Has been gelded during his 91-day absence.

Improved again upped in trip/blinkered for handicap debut when runner-up on the turf at Lingfield (1¼m) in June and back on track when fourth of 12 in handicap at Goodwood (1¼m, good) 14 days ago. despite having to be ridden patiently from a wide draw and meeting trouble in the straight. Player.

6f Pontefract winner on debut 12 months ago. Has been consistent without really threatening to score in handicaps this season, plugging on into fourth in an 8-runner handicap at that same track (1¼m, good, 11/2) 26 days ago, Mark has eased another 1 lb.

Back-to-back winner of small-field events at Nottingham (1¼m) in July/August. Ran to a similar level from a 5 lb higher mark despite failing to justify odds of 1/3 when bidding for the hat-trick at Newmarket 4 weeks ago. Respected.