I am backing Alfred Boucher here.  I think that he is over-priced at 11/2.

He did well for Henry Candy last season over a mile and a half, he won a handicap at Ascot in July off a mark of 88, and he didn’t run badly in a few listed races.  He raced just once for Henry Candy this season before joining Ian Williams, for whom he has continued his progress.

He stepped up to two miles on his first run for his new trainer, at Chester in June, and he ran a big race to finish second to Soapy Stevens.  He was well beaten by the winner, but it was his first run for his new trainer and his first run over the distance, and there was a lot to like about the manner in which he stayed on from the rear, widest of all, to take second place, closest at the finish.

There was no doubt that he stayed the trip, so it is interesting that his trainer dropped him down to a mile and a half for his next run, and that he is stepping back up to two miles today.  He ran well too over a mile and a half last time at Chester, in an apprentices’ handicap, when he got a little out-paced when they quickened, but stayed on well on the far side, probably on the worst of the ground, to hit the front close home, before being headed by Haliphon, who stayed on well down the near side.

Frankenstella is interesting, she ran well last time over today’s course and distance in May on her first run back after almost a year, but Alfred Boucher is unexposed over this trip, and he is the bet.

ALFRED BOUCHER WON (ADV 11/2, SP 5/1)