Safari Dream (second choice) is unpenalised for last week's Salisbury win and is bound to prove popular with Oisin Murphy taking over. However, COMBUSTION had an excuse when his winning run came to an end last time and there's no reason to think his progression has halted. Dark Dreamer, El Hibri and Temple Bruer (in that order), are among a few others that merit consideration.[Richard Russell]
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Runner-up on debut at Newbury (5f, soft) in April 2023 but it's been downhill since, including on AW (6f) and when making his handicap debut at Lingfield (5f, good to firm) 12 days ago; widest stall and he's now tried in a tongue-tie.
His last two wins came over C&D, the latest in February off today's mark; well below par in two subsequent starts but he was better returned to this C&D last time, when fourth, beaten just under 3l (fifth won next time); not ruled out.
Won off 5lb higher at Nottingham last June (has also won on AW); returned to form on his third start for this yard when fourth of 15 here (his first try at 7f) last month; lost two places late that day so this return to 6f should suit; player.
3-12 on AW and he's also run well here, including when second in a first-time tongue-tie this month; however, he was slowly away when favourite and last of six over C&D one week later; possibly that came too soon and he could bounce back.
Won Carlisle novice (6f, good) last summer in first-time blinkers; below form in three runs this year, including on AW and latterly when beating one home on his stable debut last time; returning blinkers, declining mark and the Rossa Ryan booking are the positives.
4-5 on AW since returning in January, including a win over C&D; only second last time but he had excuses (blindfold off late) and the winner's won since (as has the fifth and sixth); no reason to think his progression has plateaued; big player.
Three AW wins since October, including here over 7f (second win over that C&D) and over 6f at Southwell; poor effort at the latter track last time, however, when returning from a 95-day break, and has a question to answer now.
0-6 on AW but he ran respectably over 7f here in March; broke a long losing spell when comfortably making all at Salisbury (6f, good to firm) one week ago; unpenalised for that apprentice race win and Oisin Murphy takes over; officially 8lb well in.
Consistent in defeat in 7f and 1m handicaps last year but he wasn't progressing and that was the case again on his reappearance at Brighton two weeks ago, when the drop back to sprinting didn't spark any improvement; others appeal more.
0-7 on AW; best form when winning twice at Brighton (6f, good to firm) last summer, both from the front under Jason Watson; not so good on her stable debut over that C&D a fortnight ago, but she took a run to get going last year and could well do better; needs to prove this surface suits, though; cheekpieces added to her usual hood.
All five wins have come here but over further, the latest off 1lb lower last October (7f); ran creditably in a competitive race two starts back and it was a good effort when second last time (also here over 7f); first start at 6f since early 2023.
Four wins on AW over 6f, including here; two solid seconds at Kempton this year and his last run there (over 7f) can be forgiven; remains favourably treated.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
