Clarendon House has the ability to play a starring role on his return to action and although his slow starts were a major issue when last seen, a five-month break could have rekindled his enthusiasm. Last year's winner Diligent Harry can step forward from his reappearance 20 days ago but he's not sure to reverse those placings with Marshman (second choice). Karl Burke's 5yo is 2-2 since wind/gelding operations last summer and won't be inconvenienced by dropping back to 5f. He holds strong claims but FIVETHOUSANDTOONE is an interesting alternative. Last year's AW best reads well and his reappearance/stable debut ten days ago was promising, having no chance of winning the way the race panned out. This is his first crack at 5f and it looks an avenue that is well worth exploring.[Paul Smith]
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Smart 2yo who won a French Group 3 on his 3yo reappearance; things went south after a promising seasonal return last March but a gelding operation and, perhaps more significantly a wind op, have reinvigorated him this winter, winning a 6f handicap at Newcastle last month and impressing in a Listed race at Lingfield 20 days ago; drop back to 5f no concern and he's a strong contender despite his 3lb penalty.
Series of good runs on AW this winter but this looks a competitive race in which to try and end his losing run; will do well to better last year's fourth in the corresponding event.
Hot favourite for the corresponding race 12 months ago but he could only manage third, beaten nearly 4l by Diligent Harry; added two wins on turf last summer (including Listed) but slow starts became a damaging theme as the season wore on; capable at this level and can go well fresh but can he be trusted at the stalls?
The winner of seven of his 12 starts on AW (2-2 over 5f), notably when defying a penalty in the corresponding event 12 months ago; not at his best when behind Marshman on his return from 197 days off on February 2nd; should be sharper today and he's one to take seriously.
Veteran but still capable of smart form, as when lowering the colours of Kylian (won twice since) over C&D in December; weak finish at Wolverhampton last month though and others are more appealing.
Won back-to-back 6f handicaps on AW this time last year, notably the big sprint on Good Friday; only had two runs on AW since then, doing best of the prominent racers in a Group 3 last June and then making an eyecatching stable debut at Kempton ten days ago; he was drawn wide, keen and held up off a slow pace but made some good late headway on that occasion, looking to retain all his ability; tackles 5f for the first time today and it looks an interesting move; should go well.
Recorded a career-best when running away with a C&D handicap in December 2023; not far off that level in two runs this year but he's in deep at this level.
Enigmatic sprinter who has rediscovered his mojo after wind surgery in October, winning four 5f handicaps at Newcastle since November 23rd; looks to face a hopeless task at the weights but he is talented and the likely end-to-end gallop could see him outrun his odds; still looks an unlikely winner after a low-key run at Newcastle on Thursday night.
The winner of three of her last five starts, notably a Group 3 at Dundalk when last seen in October (Valiant Force close up in fourth); had an official rating of just 83 going into that race and it remains to be seen if she can back it up; tough task under a penalty.
Prominent racer; three 5f wins on turf in 2024; weakened inside the final furlong in a Dundalk Group 3 (won by Ostraka) 120 days ago; can go well fresh but there will be other pace influences to negotiate in this field.
Smart 2yo, winning the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot (Group 2) and chasing home Big Evs in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint; struggled in top sprints last summer but an ease in grade and a switch to AW has revived his fortunes, winning over 5f in October and pulling clear in a four-runner race at Dundalk two weeks ago (6f; set steady fractions); not sure that latest run is evidence he's back to his peak though and he didn't look entirely straightforward in the closing stages.
