This Class 6 five–furlong handicap for three-year-olds doesn’t look deep and the race revolves around two obvious contenders: Rosieisme Darling and Elashgar.
On the HRB figures there is very little between them, but they arrive here by different routes.
Rosieisme Darling comes into the race in solid sprint form. She won a Lingfield handicap over 5f ten days ago and that performance confirmed what her previous runs hinted at – five furlongs is clearly her trip. Attempts at 6f have stretched her, but back at the minimum distance she travels strongly and keeps finding. The handicapper has only nudged her up 3lb and on recent figures she still sets the form standard in this weak 0–55.
The slight negative is the draw in stall six. Wolverhampton’s sharp five furlongs can favour those drawn lower if they break well, so Luke Morris will need to get her into a decent early position.
Elashgar is the obvious danger and the Timeform pick. He made a successful handicap debut over course and distance eight days ago, winning an eleven-runner race with a bit in hand. A 3lb rise looks fair and the 5lb claim from Jack Dace effectively leaves him better treated than last week. From stall three he should get a much cleaner tactical position than the favourite.
However, it is worth noting that his win came in a race run over six furlongs and the drop back to a sharp five introduces a small question. He finished that race strongly and this will demand a bit more early speed.
The rest of the field look limited.
Kanes A Lott has shown early pace but has repeatedly failed to see races out and now has the widest stall to deal with. Sands Of Seve finished third last time but was beaten a long way and now tries a visor for the first time. The remaining trio – Backfire, Sequential and Resdev Kisses – simply haven’t shown enough to make a serious case.
In truth this looks a straightforward race.
Elashgar is open to improvement and could easily follow up, but Rosieisme Darling brings the strongest recent 5f form and has already proven she can win races at this level.
If she breaks cleanly and Luke Morris can secure a reasonable early position, her experience at the trip may prove decisive.
Verdict: Rosieisme Darling to beat Elashgar.