A competitive Class 6 handicap rounds off the Salisbury card, with several familiar faces returning to a race that has often rewarded course experience and tactical positioning.

Call Glory heads the market after producing a series of solid efforts at Leicester, including a narrow second on his latest outing. Although his overall turf record is modest compared to his all-weather exploits, he arrives in the best current form of these and looks well suited by today’s fast ground and 7f trip. With Ian Williams’ stable continuing to send out winners, he sets the standard.

The one who appeals most as a potential improver is Margorie. A novice winner earlier in her career, she has yet to make her mark in handicaps but hinted at a return to form when staying on from the rear at Chepstow last time. Now racing from a mark a full stone lower than her initial handicap rating and dropping into a 0-55 contest, she could be ready to capitalise if building on that encouraging effort.

Last year’s winner Amathus is impossible to dismiss around a track he clearly enjoys. The nine-year-old has twice scored at Salisbury and shaped encouragingly when fourth at Chepstow earlier this month. Another bold showing would come as no surprise under his regular amateur rider.

Shades Of May has transformed his all-weather record this year with three wins from six starts but now faces the task of proving he can reproduce that improvement back on turf. If transferring his recent synthetic form, he has the ability to feature prominently.

Veterans Beau Jardine and Endowed both boast strong course records and have gone close in this race before. While neither arrives in peak form, their previous Salisbury performances suggest they could outrun their odds and challenge for the places.

With only a limited amount of obvious early pace on paper, the race may favour those able to secure a prominent position before turning for home, rather than the habitual hold-up performers.

Verdict

Call Glory is the deserved favourite on recent form and is the one to beat, but Margorie looks the most interesting contender at the weights and rates as the value alternative. Amathus can once again make his presence felt at a venue he clearly relishes, while Beau Jardine appeals as an each-way player.

Predicted 1-2-3

1. Call Glory
2. Margorie
3. Amathus