Last month's 1m4f Kempton winner Arqoob looks the most solid to run well but he might come up against an improver among those who set out this season for the first time. The most likely candidate for that role may well be DASHINWHITESARGENT whose finish to win over 1m2f at this track last August gives plenty of hope for him at today's 1m4f. There's also a suspicion that Tryfan has more to give and he's feared most, after he was well regarded at one stage by Brian Ellison and gave a big scare in July to a warm favourite trained by his 2025 handler Harry Charlton. Master Builder did well over 1m6f last term and the Moores run three, among whom Kotari has the least to prove away from soft ground.[Richard Austen]
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Had five wins in a tremendously progressive 2024 campaign on the Flat, with two of those wins over C&D in the mud; first and second in two hurdle races late in the year; needs to resume improvement and a move back from testing ground poses a big question; stable runs three.
Largely dodged fast ground last season but third of 16 in the Melrose at York (good to firm) and won at Haydock (good) next time; both of those (his best efforts) were at 1m6f with waiting tactics and there is a question over whether 1m4f is ideal, but he starts this campaign with potential.
Dual Group 3 winner (2m/1m7f) for other yards in 2023; he didn't beat many last February-October, including in four races for current yard, and although he's not been sent to the Middle East to start this campaign and is now 13lb below his peak mark, this short a trip asks a big question.
Well beaten in 2022 on his only race at Epsom; move back to Flat this year has seen a resurgence in fortunes over 1m4f on Kempton AW last two starts, in which he was first beaten a nose and then made no mistake; back up another 3lb but return to turf should be fine and he's respected as an in-form contender.
His five wins in 2024 were all on AW but he came up only a little short in turf handicaps last April-June, including with a C&D third off this mark on Derby day; did better on AW this winter than at Doncaster on last month's return to turf, but he is considered for a place.
Respectable fifth over C&D last June on his only visit here; that followed three wins (two on good ground) in the spring and he's now just 1lb above his last winning mark; still no joy over hurdles this winter and absent since December but a case can be made; stable runs three.
Flourished last July-October with three wins and three seconds in the space of six races, with the second of those wins over C&D; two modest runs over hurdles late in the year; more to prove on good or good to firm but he's respected for last season's progress; with 7lb claimer recruited and the stable running three, he needs a market check.
Three starts last summer, the clear pick when third at Southwell (1m3f, AW); put in his place by the winner in another novice there (1m4f; beat the rest) after a six-month break and he weakened into ninth of ten to Arqoob on handicap debut at Kempton (1m4f, AW; 11-2) latest, so he has plenty to prove as well as being the most lightly raced.
1m2f winner at Brighton (soft) and Sandown (good) last September; made a respectable reappearance at Brighton (good to firm) ten days ago but that failed to prove his stamina for 1m4f at the third attempt.
Some issues at the stalls but he was first and a close second in two 1m4f handicaps on the Newcastle AW, clearly his two best efforts; first run since leaving Brian Ellison for 65,000gns last October and gelded; those peak efforts give him a good shout.
Off the mark in AW novice (8.6f) last July and got up close home in an Epsom handicap (1m2f, good; unraced on firmer) in August; creditable fourth at Wolverhampton (AW) in October probably showed that he stays 1m4f; gelded since and he may well have more to offer at this trip; interesting.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
