Saturday 4th September

 

One of those races where it's hard to be very confident about anything and also hard to rule anything out with confidence.

 

A few of these can deliver a big run out of nowhere and one of those HOCHFIELD certainly did that up at Newcastle in June when just being beaten on the line in Northumberland Plate at 28/1. He was genuinely unlucky not to win that day off a mark of 99 and although not at that level since he comes here off a mark of 97 with Joe Fanning likely to try to make every post the winning post with another bold prominent run. The slight drop in trip may well suit down this long straight and I anticipate a bold bid.

 

If he sets the race up for an out and out dour stayer then I would see ISLAND BRAVE as a big danger, although better at 2 miles the Course will suit and the Yard are in decent form too. I'd give that one a sporting each way chance and will have as a reserve and in the T/Cast perm.

 

The other one I like is INDIANAPOLIS who may have been saved for this race in optimum conditions. It's not the horse it was but off a mark of 85 should really be serving it up at this level and I think the one they all have to beat and worry about.

 

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Another competitive Handicap that looks tricky but may deliver some good each way value with one of the biggest fields of the day anywhere.

 

Daniel Deronda was progressive until a poor run last time, rates a danger but I do start to wonder if the handicap mark and Class 4 is a bit of a stretch at this time for the horse. Soaring Star is interesting back at 7 furlong and rates a danger too but in recent seasons Stall 1 has not been the asset it once was with more and more races won off the rail by horses coming over the top of the leaders in the closing furlongs.

 

PARYS MOUNTAIN who has had a wind op and whose last winning mark was 74 could be well handicapped off 72 for Tim Easterby and Duran Fentiman caught my eye and as with the previous race I'll have a T/Cast perm for a bit of fun and include Parys Mountain in it and as a reserve if any non runners.

 

My main pair against the field at nice e/w Odds and enhanced places are TRINITY LAKE and HARRY LOVE.

 

TRINITY LAKE is very consistent at this trip, 4 x a runner up in 2021 off a static mark of 78. It finally gets some help off the handicapper and if not over the top for the season should get the boost it needs for a deserved win off a mark of 74 with a good 7lbs Claimer again in the saddle.

 

HARRY LOVE is a bit more speculative, a Course winner, they go for cheekpieces here and last win was off a mark of 76 last season so nicely handicapped finally and on only 2 Course runs as a younger horse had a win and was runner up. This one is a bit of an outsider with a good sporting chance.