This looks wide open but it might be worth siding with BILLYJOH, who is well treated on some smart handicap form last season and was an eyecatching third in Class 2 at Leicester when last seen in April. Superposition is a big player if he can transfer his AW progress back to turf and he's feared most ahead of Two Tribes, who looks interesting on his step up to this trip. Both Apotheosis and Warm Spell still have potential, while others on the shortlist are Eldrickjones and the consistent Rhythm Master.[David Moon]
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Defied this mark at Sandown (7f, good) last August but he's lost his way since and has been well held in two big-field handicaps over 6f this season (better than result on first occasion); goes back up in trip and down in grade but he needs a revival.
Had some smart handicap form last year, placed at Royal Ascot (7f) and twice at Glorious Goodwood (including third in the Stewards' Cup); well handicapped on that form and he caught the eye with his late headway at Leicester (6f, good) when last seen in April; looks interesting back up in trip and he seems versatile ground-wise.
Multiple winner in Uruguay and was runner-up in 1m4f Group 1 (dirt) there last January; last four starts have been in the UAE and he's been well held in handicaps in last three runs; now starts out for Marco Botti and has something to prove back at 7f on his British debut.
Record of 1-15 but he often runs well in deep handicaps and has had a near-miss at Newmarket (6f, good) and a good fourth at York in his two runs this season; now steps up to 7f for the first time but he's been strong at the finish in last two runs and still looks on a workable mark; not ruled out.
4yo who made it 2-3 on AW when surging clear in a Kempton handicap (1m) three weeks ago; 8lb higher on this drop back in trip but he's still lightly raced and is a big player if he can transfer his progress back to turf; best form in this sphere was on good to soft in Sandown maiden.
Returned to form with a win on reappearance at Newcastle (7f, AW) and he backed that up with close second in big field at York three weeks ago; up another 3lb but he remains well handicapped on best form and should be fine if the forecast rain arrives; shortlisted.
Triple turf winner on slow ground, but he ended last season with disappointing run over C&D and he started this campaign with a 13l defeat at Musselburgh (7f, good to soft); hood is now added on his second run for David O'Meara and he needs to get back on track.
Got back on the scoresheet at Beverley (7.5f, good to firm) last June; was only just caught at Sandown next time and he ended last season with creditable fourth in a valuable handicap at Leopardstown (7f, good); had wind surgery since and he's a big player if he can pick up where he left off.
7f winner on soft in France; scored on stable debut at Newcastle (6f, AW) last March but was well below that form in final three runs last spring, including over C&D last time; now only 2lb higher than for last win but has something to prove after a year off.
Had excuses in both 6f runs this season (met trouble on first occasion and never threatened from the rear in a race dominated by the pace influences last time); only 1lb higher than for his C&D win last June; now goes back up in trip and has solid claims if he can get back near best.
Won his last two novice events (7f, good) and he's finished third in the last two of his three handicaps; didn't get much luck in a Class 3 event at Goodwood two weeks ago and he still has potential after only six starts; in the mix.
Eight of his nine wins have been on good/good to firm; last success was at Redcar (7f) in April but that was off 4lb lower in a Class 4 event and he was well below form at York last time; others preferred.
Lightly raced for Roger Varian, winning a 7f Newbury novice as a 2yo; made a promising start for this yard when runner-up over C&D (good; tongue-tie added) in March and the drop back to 6f looked against him at Ascot last month; still looks feasibly treated on his penultimate form and he could have more to offer back up in trip.
Just two wins from 31 starts but he's been placed in three of his last four runs including a close third at Thirsk (1m) three weeks ago; should go well again dropped back in trip and he won't mind what the weather does.
Won a Thirsk novice (7f, good) in August 2023 but he's 0-8 since and was out of sorts in his final two runs last season; on reduced mark but has plenty to prove back from 232 days off.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
