4th-Nov-2023

I am backing Dashing Roger in this one-mile handicap.

He was impressive in winning on soft ground at Nottingham last time, and there is every chance that he will continue his progress now on this soft ground.  The handicapper did raise him by 9lb for that win, but he is still rated just 88, and that is 16lb lower than his peak.  He was a talented horse in his day.

He is not as good now as he was as a four-year-old, but he goes into the race in good form, he goes well on this soft ground and, importantly, he has a nice, forward-going style.  It was very difficult to make ground from the rear at Newmarket yesterday.

City Of York is interesting, and King’s Code is progressive, but Dashing Roger is the bet.

DASHING ROGER WON (ADV 13/2, SP 4/1)