C&D winner GORAK ran well first time up last season and is on a handy mark, and this front-runner is taken to exploit the rail draw. Myal has a progressive profile and is feared most ahead of another unexposed 4yo in Skukuza, who was a fine second at Royal Ascot when last seen. Topweight English Oak could also be involved on his first run since being gelded.[Ben Hutton]
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Bolted up over over C&D (soft) last May and did likewise in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) next time; inconsistent in Group and Listed races subsequently but makes his reappearance having been gelded and he's a major player if at the top of his game.
0-9 last year and it was an in-and-out campaign; soundly beaten on reappearance at Musselburgh two weeks ago but he may have needed the run; on a dangerous mark on last season's best efforts and is 2-3 here; not ruled out.
Last July's C&D win (soft) was the first leg of a hat-trick (the other wins came on good ground); fair performance in big-field handicap at Leopardstown last September when last seen (found to be lame) and this 4yo could have more to offer this term; possible contender.
2yo C&D winner in 2020 and he's on a competitive mark on last year's best form; likely to improve for recent reappearance run (did so last year to finish close fourth in this race on soft going) but his last seven wins have come on slow ground at Goodwood or Epsom and he may be one for another day.
Won at Thirsk (7f, good to firm) last May and close second over this C&D (good to soft) in September on last turf start; three 7f wins from his four AW starts since; needs to transfer that improvement back to grass but this thriving 5yo is entitled to respect.
Inconsistent last year (tailed off when last seen) and he's done all his racing on slow ground; however, he's very talented on his day, as when winning at Thirsk last June and at Doncaster last September; not discounted.
Ran well at York on last season's return and won there in July; however, good runs were in the minority last term and his last three wins have come at York; makes reappearance minus usual visor; others preferred.
All six races on good/good to firm; off the mark at Newmarket (1m) last May on second handicap start before fine second in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot (1m); absent since but this unexposed 4yo retains potential and could prove to be better than his current mark.
In fine form on soft/heavy ground last autumn (went very close over C&D) and he was first past the post in the competitive Spring Mile Handicap at Doncaster last month (1m, good to soft; demoted due to interference); can go well if conditions suit (unproven on good/faster).
Often ran well last season and he's just 1lb higher than when runner-up at Chester (7.5f, good) last August; returns with his trainer among the winners and he might not be far away.
Front-runner who has been beaten on his last 13 starts going back to May 2023 (when winning over C&D); however, he ran some good races last season (including on his reappearance) and is capable of a bold bid from stall one.
Lightly raced 4yo who won four times last August-October, including twice over C&D (good to firm/heavy); reappeared with close third in the Spring Mile at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) four weeks ago and this drop back to 7f may well be the right move for the time being; firmly in calculations.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
