'We expect a big run' - analysis and quotes for an ultra-competitive sprint handicap

The majority of these sprinters arrive in superb nick and this is a difficult race to whittle down.

American Affair has form figures of 12122 this campaign and twice came close to landing a £100,000 bonus for landing three Sunday Series contests, succumbing only to Jer Batt in the first of those attempts over this course and distance last month.

Night On Earth secured his fourth victory of the year last week. Veteran Hyperfocus has picked up two from his past three. The youngster Toca Madera landed a valuable Racing League prize two starts back.

Topweight Shagraan, the other three-year-old in the field, is particularly interesting in light of his Group 1 entry in the Flying Five at the Curragh next Sunday.

He contributed to a prolific Glorious Goodwood for Mick Appleby before matching that form with a gallant fifth in a bigger-field 5½f handicap at York, faring best of the Classic generation. However, the causes of Shagraan and Looking For Lynda (third) were undoubtedly aided by their single-figure draws on the Knavesmire at a meeting marred by track biases.

That means it is worth marking up Jumbeau for her third behind Star Of Lady M from stall 14 in the 5f handicap later that week. That race impressed clockwatchers, too, with Star Of Lady M lowering the track record from her low berth. With Racing Post Ratings of 93, 94 and 94 in Jumbeau’s previous three starts in 5f sprints, there is a sense she remains well handicapped off a mark of 86.

A solid handicapping case can also be made for Changeofmind providing there is ease underfoot. The son of Sioux Nation was sent off the 7-2 favourite for a three-year-old Listed race in May last year and has been campaigned sparingly since. His latest heavy ground Hamilton second smacked of a sprinter capable of landing a nice autumn sprint handicap.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Mick Appleby, trainer of Shagraan
He's in good form and I hope he has a decent chance. He ran well at York last time and should be fine coming back to five furlongs. I just hope the ground doesn't get too soft.

Jim Goldie, trainer of American Affair
He’s progressive and we expect him to be better suited to a speed track like Haydock than Pontefract, where he ran last time. We expect a big run.

Cieren Fallon, rider of Changeofmind
He was beaten by a rival who was 5lb well in last time at Hamilton. He’ll love the ground and goes there with an each-way shout.

Tim Easterby, trainer of Hyperfocus
He seems in good form, but wouldn't want it to dry out too much – the softer the better for him. His wins at Chester were tremendous and he ran all right at Wolverhampton, but I don't think he acted that well on the surface.

Tom Clover, trainer of Jumbeau and Rocking Ends
The ground would need to dry out if Jumbeau is to take his chance, which is a shame as he’s in flying form. Rocking Ends hasn’t shown much with ease in the ground but hopefully he can overcome that.

Ian Williams, trainer of Night On Earth
He’s up in grade but not drawn the best in stall two. Hopefully he can overcome that.

Karl Burke, trainer of Looking For Lynda
He's honest and deserves to take his chance as it's a big prize. He's been busy all season but seems in good form.
Reporting by David Milnes

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