Cosmos Raj (second choice) hasn't been seen on turf since November 2023, but he is an intriguing contender as he is a previous C&D winner and is off the same mark as for his last win on grass. Paris Lights and Power Of Gold also make the shortlist as does Jesmond Dawn following his encouraging Musselburgh reappearance. The vote goes to STRATOCRACY (nap) who travelled well before not finding as much as had seemed likely at Redcar last time, but he was returning from five months off so might have just needed it.[David Bellingham]
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Made a successful reappearance in a Haydock maiden (1m, soft) a year ago, but he failed to make the frame in all six handicaps subsequently; gelded since last seen and plenty to prove with the ground unlikely to be in his favour.
Won twice at Southwell (7f, AW) earlier in year, but has won on turf and finished a creditable third of six at Leicester (1m, good to firm) last time; has been beaten three times off this mark though (6lb higher than when last successful) so more is needed.
1-19, but having attempted to make all he was beaten less than a length into third of nine on his return from six months off at Pontefract (1m, good) 13 days ago (a short head behind Paris Lights); claims if building on that from the same mark.
Running well on the AW this year as when fourth of 16 at Chelmsford (1m) nine days ago, but is just 2-23 and was well beaten in all three previous starts on turf.
Dual winner over 1m on good/AW last year and finished third of 13 on his Redcar return (7f, good) this month; didn't find as much off the bridle as had seemed likely, but possible the run was just needed after five months off; major player from the same mark.
0-13 on turf and 2-27 overall, but he was beaten less than a length into second of nine on his return to grass at Pontefract (1m, good) 13 days ago (just ahead of Power Of Gold); races off the same mark and one for the shortlist if repeating that effort.
Has raced exclusively on the AW since November 2023 (three wins), but is a six-time winner on turf (including over C&D) and is off the same mark as for his last win on grass; interesting.
Should be suited by the conditions with both wins last year coming on good to firm (6f/1m); ran well for a long way when fifth of 13 on his Musselburgh return (1m, good) a fortnight ago and could go well with the run under his belt.
1-6 for Sir Mark Prescott last year, the win coming on handicap debut at Hamilton (1m, good); picked up for 15,000gns in October and underwent wind surgery soon afterwards; market useful on stable debut after nine months off.
Tailed off in a bumper here in December, but has made the frame in three small-field contests over 7f/1m on the Newcastle AW this year; hood enlisted on handicap debut, but he probably needs to step up again now back on grass.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
