Another very competitive handicap and one where I want to take on the supposedly more progressive scopy types at the top of the market with a pair with more substantive Handicap form.

 

Astro King is pretty short at the top of the market especially as i'm not convinced this is the right trip, Surrey Pride is a Course and Distance winner and big danger but would not want too much rain, Aaddeey is another who may want the rain to stay away and also drawn widest in Stall 22 and Dawaan another relatively unexposed from a high draw.

 

Nicholas T is in logic defying recent form and will be a danger but I think the run will come to an end here, Ascensio has a chance on form but has to prove stamina and looks more like a miler to my eyes, Good Birthday for Andrew Balding was on my short list and in solid enough form and the type to run a place at nice double figure Odds, and VICTORY CHIME who was very lightly tried last time is another who should outrun Odds and will be my nominated reserve and go in to my Tricast Perm.

 

My pair against the field though are LUCANDER who has Course and Distance form and no concerns if it turns softer or proper soft, It won over CD off 94, was then runner up in a big field handicap off 98, and has sneaked back under the 3 figure mark and off 99 could do some damage here.

 

I can't ignore the very big Odds SKY DEFENDER for Mark Johnson. The mark and Going are fine whatever the rain does and the horse has an incredible profile in terms of back to back wins followed by stone last places, it was 9th or 9 last time getting hampered and is too well handicapped here to ignore at the price.