Scratville

Three runs here, a win off 80, beat 3L off 83 and an unlucky 5th more recently when hampered at a crucial time off 79. He runs off an effective mark of 73 today with claimer taking off 5lb, first time blinkers could have a positive effect and the ground should be soft enough to show his best.

Consistent type who is only 3lb higher than last win. Came up against today's second favorite "Cape Flora" last time at York and was beaten 4 1/2L. I think there are grounds to suggest she can get much closer today or even overturn that run. She was caught on the flank at York, which isn't really the place to be. She's 10lb better off, she'll be better on this easier ground, and she should also be better over this longer trip. 50's vs 7/2, I'll take a swing.

Bottom weight who has seen most of his recent action on the AW. His last turf run was here where he won on heavy ground off just 1lb lower. He's gone well off higher marks on the AW, has a cracking jockey booking, and won't be phased by juice in the ground. Looks to have a solid chance at a nice price.

Good enough to beat Military Order and The Foxes at the start of last year over 1m 3f. Both of those are now rated in the 110's. Not very good this year, but his run at Ascot offered some hope. He's got a 5lb pull with today's favorite for 1L on that run and an 8lb pull with the second favorite for 4L. Those two are 3's and 5's today, he's 18's. Drops to a class 3 for the first time today, and this easier 2m should suit better than Ascot.

A high draw has been advantageous in recent meetings at the track, and this one is drawn nicely in the 15 box. A course winner who has a few good course runs to its name. Soft ground today, and this one's last three wins have come on soft ground. Has gone well in some competitive handicaps this season and can make its presence felt here at a big price.

From a stable that historically does well with their younger horses at this time of year. This one was running well in group races this time last year (including being beaten just 2L in a Group 2 at this track). All his best form has come on ground with juice in, and he gets the 3yo allowance here. Hopefully, the high draw is an advantage today. If so, he can go well at a massive price.

Was second in a class 2 off 78 around this time last year. Two runs at the track have seen a win off 66 and a second off 77, down to 75 in a class 4. Easing in the ground won't affect him and was a little unlucky last time out when hampered late on in a competitive affair at York. Looks too big at around 14/1.

One of two 3-year-olds in the race, she doesn't do anything quickly but looks like this step up in trip will suit her well, judging by her staying on efforts over 1m 2f. Still unexposed, having just her third handicap run this afternoon. The trainer is in reasonable form with 2 winners from the last 7 runners, can go well at a nice price.

This time last year, he was beaten a head off 80 in a class 3 on the AW at Newcastle. He does have a solid record here with 2 thirds and a second from 3 runs at the track. He ran a nice race at Brighton 2 runs back before struggling in a class 3 racing series handicap last time out. This 0-78 should give him the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways if he doesn't run into a 3yo improver.

Won her maiden off a mark of 69 in the spring and showed her best form since last time when beaten a head over course and distance. Drawn 10 that day, so had to tack across in the early stages. Has a much better draw tonight, and this is still only her 5th handicap run, so there could be a little improvement in her off a mark of 66.

Second in the race last year off 72, runs off just 64 this afternoon. Course record reads 2412, and he's happiest on this type of ground. Switch to turf after almost a year running exclusively on the AW, can go well at a double-figure price.

The two 3-year-olds at the top of the market have obvious chances, but they have to prove themselves on this type of ground. As a result, I'm going with a proven soft ground performer whose last win came over course and distance off this mark. Hasn't been seen since the end of June but has won off a similar break in the past and looks to have been laid out for an autumn campaign. Double-figure price adds to the enthusiasm.

Three of these are unexposed at the trip. I'm going with the outsider of those three. A 4-year-old who ran 4 times in bumpers, his best result was a second at Huntingdon. He followed that up with a run in the Grade 2 at Aintree, so they must think he holds some ability. Three runs over 1m 4f on the flat, then upped to 2m for handicap debut. Visor fitted all point to an improved effort. Best result came with cut in the ground, which is also a bonus with underfoot conditions.

Won the consolation race to this last year with a bit to spare, and with the claimer taking off 3lb, he's effectively only 1lb higher. I suspect this has been the plan since his two good efforts on the AW in the spring. The draw is an imponderable, with high numbers being favored in the race he won last year, but the winners came from 6 in two of the last three years of this, and 5 and 6 were second and third last year. Ground fine, double-figure price adds to the appeal.