Recent C&D winner Radiant Beauty seems sure to make her presence felt again, especially if allowed to dominate, while Imperial Fighter is also respected if his confidence has been aided by last week's narrow win here. The consistent Hitched is another for the shortlist, but the vote goes to PARTISAN HERO following a narrow defeat on his return from another lengthy absence at Southwell last month.[David Bellingham]
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In fine form on the AW since November (111321); up another 3lb for his narrow win at Lingfield (1m2f, Polytrack) nine days ago, but he may be best at this sort of trip (C&D winner); respected.
Record on the AW reads 321021 and she was ridden positively when beating four rivals over C&D 12 days ago; 4lb rise fair enough; drawn wider than ideal but she is still high on the list, especially if left alone up front.
Failed to beat a rival on his return from 269 days off at Southwell (1m, Tapeta) last month, but given his record over C&D reads 43411 he can't be written off if that run has brought him on.
Dual turf winner in Germany and placed a few times in Group company on the continent but has shown little in two starts on Tapeta (7f/1m) since joining this yard; best watched.
1-17 and 0-13 in handicaps, albeit in the frame on seven occasions; didn't run very well at Newcastle (7f, Tapeta) ten days ago and needs the cheekpieces to have a positive effect.
Smart 2yo for Andrew Balding (Group 1 placed), but with this headgear applied he was ending a 21-race losing run when making all and just holding on over C&D a week ago; not certain to get his own way this time, but he is just 2lb higher and his back class makes him hard to ignore.
2lb lower than when dead-heating at Doncaster (7f, soft) in July and has winning form on Tapeta (at Newcastle), but he needs to bounce back from a modest effort at Southwell (7f, Tapeta) last time; this is the longest trip he has attempted.
Ex-Dermot Weld gelding who has clearly not been easy to train since joining this yard, with last month's narrow defeat on AW debut at Southwell (1m, Tapeta) coming after another 220-day absence; a repeat would make him a strong contender, though, despite being 2lb higher.
0-6 in handicaps and has become disappointing, even though his latest third of ten at Lingfield (1m2f, Polytrack) was a fair effort; still more needed.
Back off the same mark as when winning narrowly here (6f) for James Owen in November, but has run moderately in his last two starts for this yard; stamina for this sort of trip also remains a query.
Dual winner here (7f) for Marco Botti, but hasn't shown enough in four starts for this yard since returning from eight months off in October to make him of interest; drawn widest.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
