Plenty have the form to feature but some are on recovery missions. Not so SCARFACE who ran so well at Newbury last time behind one who didn't hurt the form at Cheltenham this week. Harry Cobden could be a significant booking for the free-going Royal Jewel and he appeals as a horse with more to offer. A back-to-form Bucksy Des Epeires would make them all go.[Alistair Jones]
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Only 13 months ago he won off a 2lb lower mark at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) and he could yet turn around what's been a modest season; market confidence would be welcomed, however.
Won three handicaps at about this distance as a novice and returned to form when second at Newbury four weeks ago; the winner ran well to be third at Cheltenham this week; versatile ground-wise and looks a safer bet than many in here.
Beat none other than Kandoo Kid at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in November 2023 and his two runs after an absence were encouraging; lesser ones have followed, though the latest was in the Kim Muir over a trip of 3m2f he would struggle to stay.
His fourth to Jagwar at Bangor (2m4f) reads well and he went in next time at Sandown (1m7f, soft); below that level the last twice but he's got the ability to have a say off this mark.
Won at Ascot (2m2f) on his chase debut and then an excellent second of nine in 2m3f handicap at Doncaster; has to bounce back from a poor run last time but that was two months ago; hard to dismiss.
Good fourth at Haydock in December (2m4f, soft; won same race the previous season) and couldn't adopt his favoured front-running tactics next time; respected off what's a good mark.
Multiple winner down the years but finished last of three over fences when last seen 13 months ago and that was after a lengthy absence; impossible to know what ability he retains.
Strike-rate of 1-17 over fences but has kept on to be third in his last two races (3m/2m4f); would prefer further ideally but the new cheekpieces might sharpen him up.
In contention when falling late on at Wincanton (3m1f) but that wasn't as deep a race as this; however, this is probably his best trip and he's not badly handicapped.
Free-goer who was game in victory at Chepstow (2m, heavy) two runs back and he got competitive a long way out there over 2m3f last time, so that was a good run in the circumstances; likely contender with Harry Cobden booked.
Won back-to-back Wetherby handicaps over slightly shorter last season but hasn't hit the same notes this campaign; however, he's back from a break and too well handicapped to ignore.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
