/ Timeform / 02 April 2011 / Leave a Comment 
"...they all may struggle to live with Taqleed, who fits the recent profile of an unexposed sort firmly on the upgrade."
Timeform run the rule over the first major handicap prize of the Flat season...
Harrison Georgerecord last season is very hard to fault, taking his form to a new level while winning four times at up to 1m. A claimer helps offset what looks a stiff mark on his return to handicap company.
Sweet Lightning looks in the handicapper's grip after a productive year in 2010 and more sound efforts in Dubai, plus he has done nearly all his racing over further, winning over as far as 1½m.
Castles In The Air's career highlight came when landing a strong 7f handicap at Ascot last July. He found life tougher off higher marks after, and has never shaped as if in need of this longer trip.
Lowther has enjoyed a really productive AW campaign, winning three times in all, looking better than ever at Wolverhampton on his last two starts. A penalty means he's got even more on his plate returned to turf.
Axiom's victory in a 7f Goodwood handicap in August was the highlight of what was otherwise a disappointing season in 2010. His mark is still higher than it was then on return for a new trainer, and others are more persuasive.
Light From Mars often ran with credit in top handicaps for Rod Millman last season without managing to get his head in front. His record fresh is encouraging, and it would be no surprise if his new yard conjures a bit more from him.
Docofthebay is a hold-up type who ended a three-year losing run in the autumn, finishing the year with a series of good efforts at 7f. He was as good as ever when runner-up on the AW last month, and is on a very fair mark.
Tartan Gigha battled well to gain two narrow wins at around 9f early last summer. He lost his form after, but returned to his best when finding only Lowther too good on the AW last month, and is 1 lb lower here.
Irish Heartbeat improved on joining this yard last year, winning the Spring Mile on his reappearance and a 6.5f handicap here in September. He has not always found much when it matters, but has a good record fresh and is the pick of Paul Hanagan.
Doctor Crane looked to be going in the right direction when landing a 1¼m handicap at Newmarket in May 2009 but has not been seen since. Eyeshields are fitted on this belated return, and his stable has a stronger candidate in Taqleed.
Dubai Hills proved a revelation when switched to 7f on fibresand, completing a four-timer in January. His progress came to a halt on polytrack, and he has probably done his winning for now, at least away from Southwell.
Kiwi Bay won twice over this trip at Redcar last season. He was largely below formotherwise, and tends to need a few runs to hit full stride.
Prime Exhibit was runner-up in the race last year off a 4 lb lower mark. He did well to finish so close to Lowther and Tartan Gigha on his reappearance after being hampered, and looks the pick of the Fahey brigade.
Brae Hill has a couple of 7f wins to his name around Chester and his best performances last season were at that track. He has raced freely, and his stable boasts stronger candidates on his return, particularly at this trip.
Taqleed powered clear in a1m maiden on his belated return last year and stepped up markedly when following up in a Newmarket handicap soon after. He ran creditably in the Cambridgeshire on his final start in 2010 and rates a smart prospect after just four starts.
Our Joe Mac appreciated soft ground when scoring at Haydock in August and things didn't go his way both starts later last year. A poor effort in the Irish equivalent of this race on his reappearance tempers enthusiasm.
Al Muheer enjoyed a productive 2009 for Clive Brittain, winning a valuable handicap at Ascot. He has not yet had the chance to show what he can really do for his present stable, and is potentially well treated on his return.
Dream Lodge failed to get his head in front last season for Richard Fahey as his attitude seemed to get the better of him. He is potentially well treated now for another good stable, though.
Fremont won two of his four starts as a juvenile, including an impressive success in a 7f Salisbury minor event. Things didn't go to plan in two handicaps last spring, and it would be a very good training performance were he to land this.
Prince of Dance was unbeaten in three starts in 2009, including in a 1m listed race. He was nowhere near asgood last year, and was well held on AW debut last month for another new stable.
Eton Rifles is a speedy performer who won twice over 6f in 2009, and showed better form in defeat on his final three starts last season. He has a career-high mark to contend with now, and 1m is far from certain to suit.
Gunner Lindley won a at Haydock as a 2-y-o and rounded off last season with a deserved victory over this trip at York. He is still relatively unexposed, and needs considering at the foot of the weights.
Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Taqleed
2. Prime Exhibit
3. Gunner Lindley
Timeform View: It would be no surprise were Prime Exhibit to fare best of those who ran at Wolverhampton last month, and he's the pick of the Fahey team. Docofthebay is dangerously handicapped, and Gunner Lindley needs considering at the foot of the weights, but they all may struggle to live with Taqleed, who fits the recent profile of an unexposed sort firmly on the upgrade.
Timeform run the rule over this sprint handicap......
Timeform run the rule over this interesting three-year-old handicap......
We're at Catterick for the first day of the Flat turf season......
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