Sir Les Patterson has more to prove on turf than AW but he ran okay at Newbury 19 days ago and dropping to 5f could see him finally deliver on the grass. Last year's winner Isle Of Lismore is 7lb lower this time around and he's greatly respected but with a good pace seeming likely, it could be left to northern raider DURAN to deliver a knockout blow. Nigel Tinkler's 4yo was on the up last year and there were plenty of positives to take from his Beverley reappearance. Tom Marquand is a rare, but notable booking for the yard and the selection could well have more to offer after only 11 starts. Blue Day and Fletcher's Flight are others who have more to come at 5f.[Paul Smith]
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Promising 2yo, notably when running out the easy winner of a big nursery at York's Ebor meeting (6f, good to firm); well beaten on his return from a 399-day break at Newbury 19 days ago but he raced too freely early on; should be quick enough for 5f and this is a drop in class; better expected.
All his best efforts have come on AW and he could only manage seventh of 11 at Newbury on his return to turf 19 days ago (6f, good); drop to 5f could spark extra though and he's on the same mark as when winning stylishly at Wolverhampton last month; Oisin Murphy retains the ride; chance.
Fluffed his lines at Wolverhampton last month but he had turned in a string of good AW runs beforehand; cheekpieces the headgear of choice today (first use since January 2023); handicapped to go well but others might be better suited by the drying ground.
Progressive 3yo, winning three times (5f to 6f); ran right up to his best at Beverley on his seasonal return (5f, good) two weeks ago, challenging in the final furlong but unable to repel the late thrust of a progressive sprinter; mark left unchanged and there could well be more to come this year; Tom Marquand 3-14 for the stable with a further five placed; big run expected.
His form has taken off since fitted with a tongue tie, winning three 6f AW handicaps around the turn of the year; ran to a similar level when third of four at Newcastle seven weeks ago; will need to pull out a bit more to defy this mark but he looks quick enough for the return to 5f.
Multiple winner down the years; stepped up on his reappearance effort (5f, AW) when finishing third at Beverley two weeks ago; might find some of his younger rivals better treated.
Wouldn't look to have a lot of wiggle room off his current mark but this month's reappearance should have sharpened him up and dropping back to 5f in his favour too.
Not seen to best effect on his return to action at Kempton two weeks ago (6f); a strongly-run 5f could suit this free-going sort and he's on a fair mark on his best efforts; still has low mileage.
7lb lower than when winning the corresponding race 12 months ago (good to soft); came into last year's race off the back of a good run at the Craven meeting and it is the same this time round as he wasn't beaten far into fourth at Newmarket 13 days ago; more appealing than many.
Improved for the drop to 5f last season, winning at Yarmouth (good to firm) and Leicester (soft); promising reappearance at Yarmouth 25 days ago (6f, good) and better is expected back at this trip with the run behind him.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
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