Vault Of Heaven had a somewhat luckless run when last seen on the AW in November and he should be good for a handicap sooner rather than later, but today is really all about MAELSTROM. The topweight outclassed some lesser opposition at Yarmouth on Tuesday and the questions to be answered here are how he will fare if, as is likely, he is challenged for the early lead, and whether the quick return will see him at his best. Gesundheit appeals most of the remainder.[Emily Weber]
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Bred to be smart and he improved greatly for the winter break and switch to handicaps when winning at Yarmouth (6f, good to firm) on Tuesday, running freely in front but soon having his rivals on the stretch; that wasn't a strong race and he's under a penalty today but more of an issue will be whether he still has his edge on this quick return.
Front-runner on all three starts, at 7f and 6f, but he couldn't sustain the gallop when a beaten favourite over this trip on Newcastle AW in February; should find his feet in handicaps in due course but he'll be pushed to get an easy lead today.
Creditable third of six at Chester (7f, good) last July behind two who are rated much higher now; lesser efforts ended his 2yo season, including on handicap debut, but he ran well for a long way on AW comeback at Wolverhampton (7f; cheekpieces added) and the return to 6f could suit.
Busy 2yo who won two Newcastle AW handicaps (7f and 6f) in November; fair return to action in March but the handicapper knows more about her than others.
Has led but she came from off the pace when ultimately quite impressive in her fourth and final handicap start as 2yo, on soft at Nottingham; returned to action with a close fourth at Catterick and there could be more to come now tackling 6f.
Minor form when qualifying but he came home strongly to win in good style on handicap debut at Kempton (AW; 6f) in October, when beating a multiple subsequent winner; left Ed Walker for 30,000gns and gelded; today's run might be needed but he has potential despite the 6lb higher mark.
Has run well on first start of both campaigns and might have been up against it on comeback/handicap debut at Catterick (6f, good) recently when still quite a promising third of seven; open to improvement.
Showed promise in sprint maidens on turf last summer but she never found her niche in handicaps thereafter, over 7f, 5f and 6f; needs either improvement or a weights drop if she's to get off the mark.
Started off from a very low base but his final qualifying run was better and he only just failed to make a winning handicap debut on Newcastle AW (6f; well-backed favourite) in November, when hard to settle and hampered quite badly but came home strongly; up 3lb; interesting prospect.
Mildly encouraging 2yo debut but that was as good as it got for previous yard; he lost out only narrowly on debut for new trainer at Chelmsford (6f) but soon cried enough back at 5f since; returns to 6f with something to prove back on turf.
All races over 5f and seemingly appreciated the sharp test when coming clear in a Musselburgh handicap (good) in August; ran as though he'd be better for the run on return at Catterick but the fitting of cheekpieces challenges that view and the extra furlong is another query.
First two handicap attempts were both very ordinary and although he fared better when third of eight at Wolverhampton (6f) he hardly rates as well treated at this stage.
Six handicap runs already, best effort when close second at Thirsk (6f, good to soft) in September; treading water since and the handicapper has been sluggish in reacting; needs cheekpieces to improve matters.
Early promise for previous connections but she didn't go on and ended time with them in headgear; finished a remote fifth at Redcar (6f, good to firm) for new yard on Monday and has lots to find.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
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