Easily most seems to depend on whether CARLTON can serve up the same as when he ended up winning with major authority here on Thursday, completing a C&D hat-trick. He is raised in grade today but the quick turnaround looks the chief worry. If Thursday's race has taken too much out of him, Sullivan Bay (second choice) and Tradesman look the most likely to profit from it.[Richard Austen]
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Won three in a row at this track (1m6f/2m) in autumn 2023; second favourite when back-to-form third at Southwell three weeks ago, beaten 1l despite badly blowing the start; he is usually slowly but not that badly, so should be in serious calculations.
Six turf Flat wins; 0-12 on the AW, finishing second at Lingfield (2m) early last month but well held on both starts since; has another career-low mark but is not the percentage call.
Haydock in September saw him end a long losing run and he's been thereabouts in three of four races since, switching from cheekpieces to a visor on Kempton AW latest; reverts with the headgear today; probably not far away but he's never finished in the first two in his eight AW races.
Out of sorts before landing a 3m handicap hurdle last month, then tailed off in that sphere on New Year's Day; 0-12 on Flat, with some form which makes this look a good mark, notably his close third over C&D last March, but there are more solid options.
Mixes Flat with hurdling, with a clearcut win on Wolverhampton Flat (2m, AW) in October; fair fourth there 11 days later; ran creditably once (here in 2020) on Polytrack; not dismissed but she needs to better that October form by some way and is back down in trip.
With his third trainer in the space of a few months; has the form to figure, including over C&D, and his fifth of 11 at Southwell 13 days ago was respectable in first-time cheekpieces (retained today); others looks stronger in this field, though.
Made most when close third of eight off this mark over C&D four days ago, easily his most competitive display and best form since debut; has had just five races and needs a second look, but this field may be too strong.
3-3 for new stable, all from off the pace over C&D in the last month; 4-5 when well on top in the final 1f just two days ago; has a 5lb penalty and moves up from Class 6, but he's on a major roll and another win is probably on its way if he's still firing on all cylinders.
Two wins and two thirds from four appearances at this track, with the latest win in October (2m) on stable debut with a first-time visor (kept since); bang there on all three starts since (AW/hurdles) and close behind Carlton on latest, but that rival has improved to win twice since; solid each-way claims.
0-13 before going on under 5f out to take eight-runner race at Southwell (1m6f, Tapeta) 13 days ago, having hung right on to the near-side rail over 2f out; back up 4lb today and in demanding company.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
