TimeformBlog

Hamoody established himself as a useful handicapper in the last few seasons, winning over 5f at Goodwood in July 2010. Restricted to just 6 runs last year, and entitled to need this on reappearance.

Fast Shot was much improved when landing 3 6f handicaps last summer, including here, and ended the year with a career best at Catterick. Starts this term 23 lb above last season's opening mark.

Arganil is a lazy sort who has been expensive to follow since Southwell success back in January 2011. Not as effective on turf, but has a lower mark to exploit and can go well fresh.

Able Master was a pretty smart performer for Bryan Smart in 2009 but been in decline for a good while. Allowed to leave Jeremy Gask on the cheap, but very much the sort his new yard excels with.

Mr Optimistic added to brace of AW wins in 2 turf handicaps around this time last year. Unable to continue the good work as season progressed, but just 1 lb above last winning mark on return to action.

Klynch is a tactically versatile handicapper who won 4 times last season. Ended the year out of sorts, but dropped to a good mark as a result, and fared best of those held up on recent return at Southwell.

Red Cape is effective at trips ranging from 5f-1m, and added another 2 more AW wins to his CV at the back end of 2011. Below form both starts on that surface this year and while since he won off mark this high.

Toby Tyler is a hold-up performer who can number a C&D success among 6 victories last season, signing off with a win in October. Looked in need of recent reappearance and better expected now.

Whozthecat was winless in 2011, but can boast some pretty strong placed efforts in handicaps, and has dropped to a tempting mark. Can also go well fresh, so more interesting than most.

Caranbola responded well to more patient tactics when regaining winning thread at Beverley (5f) in August. 3 solid efforts when last seen the following month, but hard to think she has anything in hand.

Another Citizen was a different horse upon first being fitted with cheekpieces, scoring impressively at Ayr in August. Took backward steps all 3 starts since, and opposable on return with no headgear on.

Dickie le Davoir is a habitual slow starter who bagged career win number 16 in 6f claimer at Southwell in January. Mixed bag since and opposable on balance despite return to turf.

Solar Spirit needed drop to a claimer to open account for present yard in July, but also runner-up twice in handicaps the following 2 months. Tactically versatile, but this looks too competitive on return.

Arry's Orse was the winner of 6f AW maiden on his second start back in 2010, but last season's handicap efforts were disappointing. Has since left Bryan Smart but joined another good yard and may yet come good.

Tabaret was twice successful in sprint handicaps at Doncaster in 2010, but in rapid decline last season, and easy to oppose on return from 6 lb out of the weights.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Whozthecat
2. Arry's Orse
3. Able Master

Timeform Verdict: Both Arry's Orse and Able Master are interesting for different reasons on debuts for respected trainers, but Whozthecat goes well fresh and has dropped to a good mark so he gets the nod. Klynch is another to consider.

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