Pilgrim will be a danger to all if back to his Royal Ascot form, while Ventura Express was still in with a shout when getting chopped off against the rail at Pontefract 18 days ago. Behind him on that occasion were Manila Scouse and VENTURE CAPITAL, both of whom were making their reappearances and not seen to best effect. The former might bag the stand rail and his yard have a good recent record in the race but Venture Capital appeals as a sprinter with more to offer in 2025.[Paul Smith]
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High in the weights after a productive 2024 campaign, having been hit hard for a conditions race win at Beverley (5f, good) in September; has a tough task with Venture Capital on their run at Doncaster earlier that month and was well beaten at Southwell nine weeks ago; looks vulnerable.
Bolted up at Musselburgh last June (5f, good to soft) before making light of an 11lb rise at Royal Ascot, beating 27 rivals in the Palace Of Holyrood House (5f, good to firm); drawn poorly at the Ebor meeting and both subsequent defeats can be forgiven too; mark not impossible if returning to his best but he didn't live up to market billing on his return last April.
Came good last autumn on slow ground, winning 5f handicaps at Chester and Catterick; yet to shine this season though and could do with some more weight off his back.
Form took off in the autumn when returned to 5f and faced with soft ground, winning at Doncaster (officially good but changed to soft after the race) before solid runs at Ascot and Doncaster; looked as though the run was needed on his Pontefract reappearance and he remains capable of rating a fair bit higher.
Useful on his day, winning twice last season (6f, good; 5f, good to soft); finished behind Venture Capital at Pontefract on his reappearance (raced wide) 18 days ago and like that rival he should be sharper for the run; likely to bag the stand rail from stall 6 and Amie Waugh takes off a useful 3lb; of interest for a yard that won this in 2022 and 2023.
Met trouble at Pontefract last time when still in contention; stable still not quite firing on all cylinders but enough of them are running well to make him of interest.
