Sir Lowry's Pass, Galyx and Valvano are lightly raced and start their 4yo seasons with potential but only the first of those has run on good ground and none of them have raced on good to firm. There are concerns about drying ground for others in this field as well, but TONY MONTANA brings plenty of good-ground form and his third at the big meeting here last summer was on good to firm, judged on a time-based analysis, while Dual Identity should not have any ground concerns.[Richard Austen]
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Wide-margin winner (1m, heavy) on sole start as 2yo and useful form in defeat three of his four races last season, latterly when upped to 1m4f for fifth of 12 in the November Handicap at Doncaster; all turf starts have been on softer than good, best efforts on soft/heavy or AW; that poses the biggest question if the rain stays away here.
Won at Sandown (1m, soft) last May and close second of 17 at York (1m2f, good to firm) in August; made a satisfactory reappearance when seventh at 40-1 in the Lincoln at Doncaster (1m) five weeks ago and is probably effective at this track, so he's one to consider.
Slowly away every time last season and wasn't quite the force of old in a mixed campaign, but he won at Nottingham (1m, good) in June and was a creditable third at Doncaster (1m2f, good) in September; left Sir Michael Stoute for 42,000gns in October and needs to better what he did in 2024.
6l novice win at Kempton (1m4f, AW) last July with first-time blinkers; came up shy in them when favourite off this mark for two handicaps (1m4f/1m2f) on turf later last summer; gelded in September and not seen since; unraced on firmer than good; classy pedigree ensures he's given a second look.
Started last season with two wins and he was third in major big-field handicaps at York and Goodwood, all over about 1m2f and the latter probably on good to firm; behind, though, at the last two Royal Ascots in his only races on officially good to firm; makes plenty of appeal if the ground is okay.
Close third in this race (soft) last year and won two in a row at this track (1m1f/1m, heavy) in the autumn; satisfactory eighth when 33-1 for the Lincoln at Doncaster on reappearance five weeks ago; while return to this track demands respect, his record is dominated by races on soft or heavy going and his debut (2022) is the only time he's run on good.
Hurdling last October-December didn't really work out and he tried cheekpieces/blinkers when last seen; the lesser shows have been in the big majority over the last 12 months but maybe he'll return refreshed from his break.
Useful on Flat for Hugo Palmer, with peak effort when fifth in Sandown Classic Trial last April; changed hands for 52,000gns in October but well held in his three hurdle races since, beaten 40l on last two occasions; he'll be fit but others have more pressing claims.
3yo campaign for the Gosdens did not live up to early expectations, although beaten only 3l when seventh of 17 in handicap at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) on final start; sold for 85,000gns in October and gelded; unraced on firmer than good; lightly raced but work to do.
All five races have been on softer than good; won a novice at Windsor (1m, soft) last May and seven-runner handicap at Leicester (1m2f, heavy) on October when last seen; gelded since; raised 5lb but remains open to improvement if the ground is suitable.
Can front-run; sometimes hangs; beaten a neck on soft ground (probably acts on good to firm) in this race last year on his only visit to Goodwood; scored by 8l at Chester in September and good third of 16 at Doncaster this March, before one of his lesser shows on latest outing when favourite; major player judged on peak efforts and 5lb claimer is recruited.
Well backed and worked hard when arriving late on the scene to overcome a slow start in C&D novice (good; unraced on good to firm) in September; best form when second of 11 on handicap debut at Newbury (1m2f, heavy) final start; up 3lb and should have the potential to cope with that this term.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
