Plenty of pace on show and there looks to be an even distribution across the track, albeit the fastest horses may be drawn high. American Affair looks a Group horse in a handicap and he was hugely impressive at Musselburgh on his return but there is just a nagging concern that a sharp 5f on quick ground might not represent his optimum conditions. He could well be good enough to make light of it but there are alternatives who will relish this test. 4yos Shagraan, Pilgrim and Vantheman all come into the reckoning but the two against the field are Nazron, who shaped really well at Wolverhampton last month, and JM JUNGLE. The selection couldn't cope with American Affair at Musselburgh on his return but it was still a promising effort and we know this track plays to his strengths.[Paul Smith]
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Tough sprinter who ran a string of good races in hot handicaps last year, including at this track (5.5f, good to firm) at the Ebor meeting; solid return to action at Goodwood two weeks ago when faring best of those to race prominently; another big run on the cards.
High in the weights after a productive 2024 campaign, having been hit hard for a conditions race win at Beverley (5f, good) in September; two runs this year suggest he'll be vulnerable in a race like this (fifth off a 1lb lower mark last year when in better form).
Finished third in the corresponding race 12 months ago when trained by the Crisfords; theoretically has more on his plate off today's 7lb higher mark but he's earned it having won two of his four runs for new connections; created a positive impression at Epsom last month when the new cheekpieces (retained) did the trick; one to take seriously.
Made giant strides last year, notably when getting up late in the Portland at Doncaster (5.5f, good); better than ever when overcoming a troubled passage to win at Musselburgh last month (5f, good to soft); hard to believe he's not still well treated up 4lb and he looks every inch a Pattern-racer in waiting; whether today's combination of a fast 5f on quick ground will see him to best effect remains to be seen.
Ended last season with a whimper but he enjoyed a fine June, running away with a Musselburgh handicap before beating 27 rivals in the Palace Of Holyrood House at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm); encouraging return to action at Ripon last month when not looking in love with the track; more required to take this having been nudged up 2lb but he ran well at this meeting last season and Royal Ascot was his only other run over 5f on fast ground.
Best effort this season when third of seven at Ripon 19 days ago (Pilgrim second), keeping on well in the closing stages; has won over 5f on good to firm ground but he's particularly effective on slower going and there's a strong suspicion he'll get taken off his feet early.
Ran well given how hard he pulled at Newmarket on his seasonal return last month but he took a backward step at Goodwood two weeks ago; finished behind Shagraan on that occasion, as he had a couple of times last year; others are more appealing.
Boasts strong handicap form at this track, enjoying his finest hour when seeing off 21 rivals over 5.5f at last season's Ebor meeting; no match for American Affair at Musselburgh on his reappearance but it was still an encouraging effort; no obvious reason why he won't be in the thick of it.
Ran a stormer in the 3yo 5f handicap at this meeting 12 months ago, finishing second of 17 despite a poor draw; won a Pontefract handicap (5f, good) last July; not so good in three runs since but the combination of 6f and a six-month layoff may have contributed to his weak finish at Newmarket last month; can do better today.
String of fine runs last season and he looked better than ever when winning at Beverley last month (5f, good); another solid effort at Leicester 19 days ago and remains on an attractive mark; a rapid 5f on quick ground wouldn't appeal as optimal for him though.
Enjoyed his best day when dominating a 6f nursery at the Ebor meeting in 2023 (good to firm); it hasn't been smooth sailing since but he showed good speed when third of nine at Ascot (5f, good to firm) and he now has something to build on; Oisin Murphy booked; considered.
Impressive winner of a 5f handicap at Windsor last August when 2lb lower; two promising runs after wind surgery in January, notably last time at Wolverhampton where he tanked through a strongly run 6f handicap, leading in the final furlong but picked off late on by two rivals who came from off the pace; well treated and of some interest in the short term; this is a tough task but he's not yet fully exposed.
Made all when beating Trilby over C&D last October (soft ground); satisfactory return to action at Pontefract last month but he finished behind a few of these at Musselburgh last time.
Benefitted from the return to turf when winning a Class 3 at Musselburgh last month; fair fourth behind American Affair next time but he failed to fire at Thirsk 12 days ago; now tried in blinkers; stable may have stronger claims with Vantheman.
Ran away with this race in 2022 and went on to show smart form on both turf and AW in the next 12 months; not stood a lot of racing since but he showed he retained ability at Musselburgh 13 days ago; this is a much stronger contest but he couldn't be discounted with confidence.
On a long losing run; has run some solid races in defeat this year but last time at Thirsk wasn't one of them; this is a hot race in which to try and end the drought.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4,5
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
