A competitive-looking race. Preference is for course winner FIRST ENCOUNTER who hinted that a return to this distance would suit when fourth over 1m at Pontefract recently. Three of these finished second last time and the best of them could be Life On The Rocks, who has been placed on his last five starts and rates as the main danger. Stintino Sunset may strip fitter for his seasonal reappearance when fifth at Chelmsford last month and should run well. [Andrew Bladen]
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Won four times over 1m2f last year on turf and after a lousy winter has returned to form; placed on his last five starts, latest when second of four at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW) nine days ago with cheekpieces on (replaced here with usual visor); knocking on the door and looks sure to run his race.
C&D winner in 2023 and scored at Windsor (11.5f, good to firm) last September off this mark; had a nice pipe-opener when fifth of 11 at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW) last month and should be ready to roll; holds claims.
Won a classified at Wolverhampton (9.5f, AW) in January and has been placed on four of his last five starts, latest when second of 11 at Southwell (1m, AW) ten days ago; looks sure to be thereabouts.
Six of his seven wins have been on AW and yet to win beyond 8.5f; second of 11 at Pontefract (1m, good) ten days ago where he stayed on to suggest this longer trip should suit.
0-18 (including five starts on Jersey) before he scored by a neck in last-gasp fashion at 80-1 in a classified at Lingfield (1m2f, AW) in March on first Flat start for David Bridgwater; beaten 22l when seventh of ten back in handicap company at Southwell (1m3f, AW) last month.
Won here (1m, good to firm) last July off 1lb lower mark and went on to land a seller at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW) in October; decent effort when fourth of 11 at Pontefract (1m, good) ten days ago, suggesting a return to today's trip should suit; should go well.
