Won a 5.5f handicap at last year's Ebor meeting and he's 3lb lower today; ran well at Sandown in July and again at Kempton last month (6f; stiff task against an exciting sprinter); one to take seriously.
Had a fine year in 2023, his first with this stable, when an Ayr Gold Cup win was the highlight; has only run well in one of his four starts this year and hopes rest on a wind operation having a positive effect; second and first in two runs at Newcastle.
Won twice on AW (6f) last November, both in good style; second in a good race at Newcastle on New Year's Day (6f; handicap debut) and chased home Big Evs at York's Dante meeting when sporting cheekpieces for the first time; well beaten at Royal Ascot but he retains potential and this test should suit; one to consider.
Useful 2yo, second in the Norfolk Stakes on his second start; made a pleasing reappearance at Newbury in May but he's been well held in two runs since, the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup and a hot York handicap last month; slightly calmer waters today and too soon to write him off.
Essentially disappointing this year after a promising second at Southwell in February (5f, Listed); type to revive at some point and this mark looks well within range but the yard could be in better form.
Won the Gosforth Park Cup over C&D in June off 4lb lower; he has run well in hot sprint handicaps in four runs since, most recently third of 22 in the Ayr Silver Cup (best of the far-side group); two wins and a second from five C&D runs; major player.
Smart 2yo for Karl Burke; has run some good races in defeat for current yard and he's gradually slipped down the weights; latest effort excusable (soft ground) and he won decisively in his one AW start last year (C&D); one to consider.
Ended 2023 with a whimper and he's been short of his best in two runs in 2024; dropped a long way in the weights but this looks a warm race in which to try and revive.
Progressive sprinter last winter, winning three 5f handicaps either side of an odds-on defeat over C&D; only midfield behind Bergerac in the Gosforth Park Cup here in June (cheekpieces first time); gelded after; may do better but he'll need to.
Went close at Doncaster (6f, good) when last seen in June but he's rated much lower on turf and he returns to action off what is effectively a 19lb higher mark; can win races this winter but perhaps not this one.
He has taken well to AW, winning over C&D last month and then going down narrowly at Southwell ten days ago; heavily backed here last week but met all the trouble going, eventually coming in fifth of the nine runners; 4lb out of the handicap but last week's run suggests he is back near his very best; this is a classier race but each-way claims.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
