A Sunday treat for sprint handicap enthusiasts. Dutch Kingdom isn't fully exposed at 6f, while Valentine Catcher, the thriving Westmorian, Bergerac and Rohaan will also have their supporters. The three to make most appeal are Badri, unlucky here last month but at a time when his yard was in better form, Northern Spirit, who goes from strength to strength, and DRAMA. The selection's Kempton wins last season saw him beat City House and Heathcliff, both of whom are smart operators, and a recent turf run isn't the race to judge him on. Expect much better today.[Paul Smith]
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Front-runner who ended 2024 in fine form, winning Class 2 handicaps at Newmarket and Pontefract (both 6f, soft) before a good fourth at Doncaster in November (Listed); shaped encouragingly at Doncaster on her return four weeks ago, weakening when hampered inside the final furlong; has won on Tapeta but she needs to produce a big personal best on AW to win.
Good record at this track for former stables; best known as a trailblazer over 5f but he came from off the pace to win a 6f handicap at Chester last summer, his first win at the trip; he'll need to be at that level back after six months off if he is to make a winning start for new trainer.
Better than ever when dropped to 6f in the autumn, winning at Chelmsford in good style and then pipped close home over C&D; as good as ever when winning a 7f handicap here on his return from a four-month break last week; 2lb higher mark to deal with but may yet do better at 6f.
Useful sprinter for Richard Hannon, including on AW; wouldn't judge him too harshly on last month's stable/seasonal debut; looks the type to win races for his new stable and Sean Levey has been successful on him in the past; market confidence would be encouraging; widest stall.
C&D winner in January and ran to a similar level over 5f at Newcastle next time; heavily backed and was making inroads when badly hampered over C&D last month; Newcastle run on Good Friday easy enough to excuse; of serious interest back down in class under these conditions but his yard aren't in quite the same form as they were.
Classy operator on his day and he is only 2lb higher than when winning last year's Gosforth Park Cup (5f, Tapeta); equally effective at 6f, as when doing best of the low numbers in the Ayr Silver Cup; not at his best at Newcastle last month but perhaps sharper today.
He has returned from nine months off in rude health, second at Newcastle last month before winning twice over C&D and completing his hat-trick at Lingfield on Good Friday; now 20lb higher than for the first win and he'll need to reach new heights to make it a four-timer.
Ready winner of a 6f handicap at Lingfield in February; beaten three times since and he was no match for Westmorian at Lingfield nine days ago, even allowing for the fact that being on the rail probably wasn't ideal; others look stronger.
Beat notable opponents when winning twice at Kempton last year; defeats on turf since aren't the races to judge him on and he still has a bigger effort in him on AW; usual cheekpieces replaced by new blinkers today.
Finished in front of a couple of today's rivals when second over C&D last month but he's not featured in either run since; Rossa Ryan tries his luck this evening but more minor money perhaps his best hope.
C&D winner; ended 2024 in good form and he made an impressive seasonal debut when powering home at Beverley 11 days ago (5f, good); up 4lb but may not have reached his ceiling just yet.
Lightly raced 4yo; won off this mark on his seasonal return last summer; notably strong in the market ahead of his return to action at Ripon ten days ago but failed to fire; too soon to write him off.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
