Front-running Recon Mission could be the answer in an open sprint

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Play it safe or take a chance, that is the choice facing punters attempting to crack this decent quality 6f handicap.

Desert Doctor and Open Wide came from off the pace to win over course-and-distance in this grade last month and they look set to get a good gallop and should both run well once more.

But each has been duly punished by handicapper for those victories and neither is far from certain to represent a value bet off their revised mark.

Those who are potentially better treated include Embour, who is 2lb lower than when an eye-catching fifth on his debut for Ruth Carr over 5f at Wolverhampton and he will be suited by returning to this trip.

Soldier's Minute runs off the same mark when he was a good fourth in this year's Ayr Gold Cup and can easily be excused for a modest effort on testing ground in the Coral Sprint at York, where Nottingham winner Roulston Scar also floundered in the mud and is worth another chance.

But so too is Recon Mission, who was prominent for a long way on what turned out to be the wrong side at York and is now 13lb lower in the ratings than he was at the start of the season.

His front-running thirds at Newbury and Chester this summer showed he still retains plenty of ability and after being drawn next to the inside rail in stall one, he could take more catching than his double-figure odds might suggest.

What they say

Ed Crisford, joint trainer of Roulston Scar
It's a competitive race but I'm sure he'll bounce back from his last run on ground that was horrific. He's a good little sprinter, he hasn't got a bad draw, he's in good form and I'm sure he'll run a good race.

Ed Walker, trainer of Desert Doctor
He's got an obvious chance but he has to produce a career best to win. This is his last run before another crack at Dubai and fingers crossed he can carry on his good form.

Amanda Perrett, trainer of Open Wide
He really enjoyed the surface at Kempton last time and came back to form. The handicapper has taken no chances and put him up 6lb but he's drawn well, there's plenty of pace and I hope he can repeat the dose.

Amanda Perrett: hopes Open Wide can repeat the doseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ruth Carr, trainer of Embour
We were really pleased with his first run for us at Wolverhampton. It was all happening a bit quick for him over five furlongs there and six furlongs should suit him better so I hope he can be involved.

Tony Carroll, trainer of Recon Mission
He's in good form, he got stuck in the mud on ground that was too heavy for him at York last time. It's disappointing not to have won with a horse of his quality this year but it's been a strange season, he's got a good draw and I'd be hopeful of a good run - he's come down to a nice mark.

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