Roman Emperor showed much more when beaten a neck at Kempton last time and is respected if building on that, while four-time C&D winner Arlecchino's Gift comes into this off the back of a success at the same track. COLLUSION got off the mark when beating Alafdhal by just over a length over C&D in January and although the runner-up is 6lb better off, the selection is much the least exposed of the pair, so can confirm the placings.[David Bellingham]
Watch Live UK & Irish Racing
Simply place a bet of £5 or more on
any UK or Irish race to watch the action live!
Four wins over C&D and he defied the outside stall when making just about all at Kempton (6f, Polytrack) 12 days ago; has another wide draw to contend with but still likely to make his presence felt.
Was having his third start for the yard when picking up well to make it eighth-time lucky over C&D in January; now 4lb higher, but he remains relatively unexposed and another big effort seems likely.
Appeared to be going the wrong way before a much better effort when beaten a neck at Kempton (6f, Polytrack) 12 days ago; races off the same mark and may have come on for that first start in three months; shortlisted.
Three wins here, the first two over this trip and the latest over 5f in January; beaten just over a length by Collusion over C&D eight days later and now 6lb better off; cheekpieces return for the first time since October 2022; should be thereabouts.
Failed to beat a rival at Chelmsford (6f, Polytrack) last Thursday, but has gone close on several occasions over C&D since August; record of 1-28 (0-14 on the AW) suggests that others are more compelling, though.
Last two wins for George Scott came over this trip on turf, but he has mainly been racing over further since this time last year; makes his stable debut (same owner) in a first-time hood after five months off; drawn widest; market informative.
2lb lower than when winning at Bath (5.7f, good to firm) in August, but his form since then has been patchy and he is just 3-52; others make greater appeal.
Smart in his younger days when with Archie Watson and although not beaten far in the latest two of his three starts for this yard, at Kempton (6f, Polytrack), he's not easy to make a case for.
In the frame in eight of his 11 starts for Tom Clover, but he made a low-key stable debut after 113 days off at Lingfield (5f, Polytrack) last month; needs to step up from that.
Continues to slide down the weights and now 6lb lower than when winning at Ayr (6f, good) in August; latest efforts raise doubts as to whether he can take advantage, though.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
