Most of these have something to prove on one count or another but BUSHFIRE has finished placed in his last two runs, including a strong-finishing second at Carlisle last time behind a rival who dominated. He remains well treated on his Southwell win last autumn and gets the vote on this step back up in trip. 3yo Mr Swivell is open to more progress on his return to 1m2f and he's feared most ahead of Qitaal, who looks interesting on his drop back in trip and grade.[David Moon]
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Ran right up to his best when justifying favouritism at Ayr (7f, good) in July but he's not easy to predict and was out the back at Southwell (1m) last time; has form on soft ground but he needs to bounce back after that last run and this return to 1m2f is a concern (all wins at 7f/1m).
Both wins were in 1m4f novice events in 2021; started this season with good third in Chester Plate (2m2f, good to firm) but he's struggled since and has finished tailed off in his last two runs (1m4f/1m6f); mark is tumbling and he now drops into a Class 4 but plenty to prove back at this trip; tongue-tie removed.
Won on handicap/seasonal debut at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) in March; 0-11 since but he's run well on numerous occasions and 1m4f seemed to stretch him at York last time; now drops back in trip/grade and he looks interesting off a dangerous mark.
Made all for an emphatic win here (1m4f, good to firm) in May but he's lost his way in last three runs, including a tailed-off effort here (2m, good) three weeks ago; the trip shouldn't have been an issue that day and he needs a major revival on this drop back to 1m2f.
His last success was off a similar mark at Wolverhampton (9.4f, AW) in February but he was only ninth of 12 there on his return last month; may have needed that run but his last turf win was in 2022 and he has a tough draw here on his first run at this track; down the list.
Good second off reduced mark at Yarmouth (11.4f, good to firm) in July but he's been disappointing in both runs since; now drops back in grade but he has something to prove again and his best turf form has come on good or quicker ground; reapplied visor replaces cheekpieces.
Scored off 6lb higher here (7.6f, soft) last July but has a mixed record since and he was laboured at Haydock (1m, good) two weeks ago; could return to his favoured slow ground but he's untried at this trip and others are more convincing.
Made it 2-6 when landing a Newmarket handicap (1m, good) last month and he stayed on well for a close third at Haydock two weeks ago; that was a brave effort and this 3yo could find more progress back over this longer trip; untried on slower than good but he's still unexposed on turf.
Dual AW winner who had a couple of near-misses on turf in June but he's been held on turf and Tapeta in his last three runs; has a bit to prove again back up in grade and this is a new trip; stablemate of He's A Gentleman.
Seven of his ten wins have been on the AW but he went back-to-back on turf on successive days in June; held in four runs since but he was an eyecatching fourth at Pontefract (1m2f) on Thursday and has possibilities if he can build on that; acts on good to firm and heavy ground.
His last win was a year ago but that was off 5lb higher and he's run well to finish placed at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) and Carlisle (1m1f, soft) in last two runs; finished well for a clear second behind an all-the-way winner last time and he's highly respected back up in trip.
Won on handicap debut at Redcar (7f, good to firm) in May but he's been well below that form in three runs since; still lightly raced and has stamina on dam's side but he needs to get back on track at this new trip.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
