By Eck Its Boddingtons Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 3m 16.71s

(2)

My Ballyquinn¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 89| D

7/2

Made it 2 wins from his first 3 handicap starts when scoring at York (1¾m) in June. Struggled in the deep waters of the Melrose there last month but got right back on track when third of 9 at Doncaster (1½m, good) just over 2 weeks ago. Not discounted back up to 1¾m.

Form: 121203

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(5)

Asia Force²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 88| CD

9/4

Improved on the back of a gelding operation when dominant winner of 6-runner handicap at Carlisle (1¾m) last month and took form up a notch from 6 lb higher when following up in 8-runner handicap over C&D (soft) just under 3 weeks ago, digging deep. Respected in hat-trick bid.

Form: 223411

(3)

Glory Road³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 88

5/2

Bumped into some useful rivals when third all 3 starts in novice/maiden company and showed improved form to make a winning handicap debut at Newcastle (12.5f) in July. Never got competitive in Melrose at York last month but better anticipated dropping into calmer waters.

Form: 2-3210

(1)

Glory Of The Seas¹⁰⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 87

7/2

Stood out on his already fairly useful form in defeat and duly landed the odds in 5-runner maiden at Hamilton (11f, good) back in June, highlighting his stamina but also the seemingly positive impact of a gelding operation. Upped in trip for his handicap bow and remains with potential.

Form: 2-431

(4)

Itica¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Callum Hutchinson| T: A M Balding| OR: 78

14/1

Showed much improved form upped to 11f when opening account in 6-runner seller at Goodwood on turf debut last month. Possibly found the race coming too soon when seventh of 9 on handicap debut at Doncaster (1½m, good) just over a fortnight ago so worth another chance.

Form: 02-5617

Forecasts

Asia Force (9/4), Glory Road (5/2), Glory Of The Seas (7/2), My Ballyquinn (7/2), Itica (14/1)

Ralph Beckett won this last year with the now-useful Sing Us A Song and he can repeat the feat with GLORY ROAD, who found the Melrose at York too competitive last month but takes a drop in class here. Asia Force has taken off since faced with more of a test of stamina and arriving on a hat-trick, he can give the selection most to do, with Glory of The Seas completing the shortlist on return/handicap debut.