One of the most competitive middle distance handicaps of the season this is usually fast and furious with multiple hard-luck stories. A favourite personal memory is laying the Micheal Stoute trained Medicean, who had a coffin draw on the outside. Beaten off 102 he later won a Lockinge and an Eclipse! It isn't possible to be so dogmatic on the draw front these days and winners can come from anywhere. You do need a well handicapped improver though and it may be best to concentrate on the Royal Ascot handicaps this year, already a rich source of subsequent winners. Wigmore Hall was top of my list here after being unlucky in the Hampton Court stakes but he hasn't been missed by the odds compliers. 5/1 is fair and I can see him starting shorter. The two I want to back both ran in the Duke of Edinburgh handicap and finished close together just behind the placed horses. They both had excuses however: Sandor was drawn near the rail but got messed around plenty and could never get daylight to come with an even run. He was running on late. I'll have 1.5 win and .5 place at Stan James' 25/1. Sweet Lightning pulled too hard up in trip and didn't quite get home- he'll do better back at 10f and is worth 1 pt each way at Ladbrokes 12/1.
5th 25/1, unpl 12/1 -4 pts.
Running total +5 pts.
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