← Honest Record · Pick Winner · Mr Fox
#Come Racing Handicap Stakes
Mr Fox’s call
Mertoun
SPECULATIVE Advised 9/2 Est. 26%
Mr Fox says
Mertoun (SR 81, 9/2) is the joint-highest rated horse in the field and crucially holds confirmed distance (DistFit:+) and going (GoingFit:+) credentials — the only runner in the field to tick both boxes simultaneously. The recent form string -92114 shows a marked progressive arc culminating in back-to-back wins, and while running off a mark 11lb higher than at last win (MarkMv:+11) is a concern, the form has been earned at this class level. Jane Chapple-Hyam operates at 12% overall and Rob Hornby is a reliable booking. The market drift of 26% is noted but may reflect the higher mark rather than any latent issue — the horse's fitness is confirmed (20 days since last run) and the conditions suit better than any rival. Each-way alternative: Venetian Lion. Main danger: Venetian Lion — Venetian Lion (SR 81, 7/4) is joint-top on SR, carries the lowest weight (9-7) among the SR leaders giving it a real lbs edge, has GoingFit:+ confirmed, and the William Haggas yard runs at 21% — if the tongue-tie sparks improvement from the last-time-out win, the lighter weight makes this the most dangerous rival.
Full result
Winner: Venetian Lion (GB) at SP 9/4J. Mr Fox’s picks highlighted in gold.
-
1
Venetian Lion Fox #2 7/4
-
2
Glen Nevis Fox #3 4/1
-
3
Potomac River 5/1
-
4
Mertoun Fox #1 5/1
-
5
Big Alex Walmsley 16/1
-
6
Legacy Rock 16/1
-
7
Wield 66/1
-
—
Calyxoh 17/2
Top 4 — how each finished
-
1
-
2
-
3