Andrew Balding and Hayley Turner combined to win this with a 3yo last year and can repeat the feat with TACTICIAN (nap), who promises to relish this increased stamina test. Trooper Bisdee has been given a bit time since finishing a well-beaten favourite in the Northumberland Plate in June and can bounce back to provide the chief threat, ahead of Glorious Goodwood runner-up Premiere Ligne. [Andrew Sheret]
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Winner of this race off 2lb higher on good ground in 2022; also bagged a Listed race at Nottingham in spring 2023 and entitled to strip fitter for his rather belated reappearance at Haydock a fortnight ago.
Enhanced good strike-rate in handicaps when well on top at Nottingham (2m) and Pontefract (2m2f) on first two starts this season; paid the price for a rapid forward move when favourite in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle only six days after Pontefract; freshened up since and no surprise were he to resume his progress.
Unexposed 4yo who scored at Ffos Las (2m, good to soft) in June and wasn't beaten far in a deeper race at Newbury (16.5f, good to firm) in July; well held in a Racing League handicap at Southwell (2m) last month but that was her first attempt on AW and her turf record affords her respect.
Well beaten in the 2m handicap at the York Ebor meeting but quickly back on song under Mohammed Tabti when seeing off Robert Johnson and Yorkindness over 2m2f at Musselburgh (good) last weekend; nudged up only 2lb.
Won twice over 1m6f last summer; bounced back from some lesser efforts when third of eight over 2m at Goodwood (good) 18 days ago; faded into a below-par sixth behind Rajinsky in this race in 2022 on his only attempt beyond 2m.
Got off the mark in Britain over an extended 1m3f at Lingfield (good) in May; runner-up on all three outings since, on the latest proving well suited by a marked step up to 2m4f at Glorious Goodwood (good to firm); still unexposed as a stayer.
Won at Lingfield (11.5f, good to firm) in June and Haydock (1m6f, good) in July; showed he's still at the top of his game when second of seven over 1m6f at Southwell 17 days ago; this 4f longer trip is a step into the unknown, though.
Fourth to Rajinsky in this race two years ago; placed in most of his turf outings this season, including going down by only a neck over 2m at Goodwood (soft) last month; caught too far back when fifth of 13 at Kempton (2m again) since and treated as if still in form.
Five wins in his time with Phil Kirby; best run since joining Tracy Waggott when chasing home Bringbackmemories at Musselburgh (2m, good) last Saturday; more will be needed to go one better here, though.
Relished the step up to 2m when winning at Ascot (good) in July and shaped quite well considering a drop back to 1m6f didn't look ideal when sixth of 16 in the ultra-competitive Melrose at the York Ebor meeting (good to firm) four weeks ago; cheekpieces are added and he's faced with stamina test which should play to his strengths; leading claims for last year's winning yard.
Without a success since the 2019 Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting; confirmed his liking for that venue when third at this year's Shergar Cup, but below that level since and well held in last year's Cesarewitch on his only attempt over C&D.
Five wins at up to 2m2f last term but has failed to add to her tally this year despite a falling mark; third to reopposing pair Bringbackmemories and Robert Johnson at Musselburgh last weekend and there's a suspicion that she will find at least the odd one too strong again.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
