Jez Bomb and Mount King (second choice), who filled the first two places over C&D 11 days ago, should be involved in the shake-up again, while Triggerman and Cosmos Raj are two others with positive profiles. However, if there's an unexposed candidate in the line-up it could be the well-bred BERNALDA. James Ferguson's filly was rough around the edges last season but could be more the finished article after a winter break.[Richard O'Brien]
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Improved for the step up to 1m last autumn, winning and runner-up at Southwell; handles quick ground on turf and has real possibilities if ready to do himself justice after six months off.
8yo who goes well here, although he hasn't won since August 2022; lower in the weights than he's been for some time but still probably best watched on reappearance.
Well-bred filly who flattered to deceive on occasions last year, although she ended the campaign with a creditable fourth over this trip at Kempton (wore tongue-strap); still lightly raced and has untapped potential.
Back to form from out of the blue to score over C&D (good to firm; 28-1) 11 days ago, always in the firing line; hasn't had many goes on turf and should be competitive again from just 3lb higher.
Four sprint wins; campaigned over 7f recently, creditable third at Leicester before meeting trouble ten days ago at Catterick; not out of this from a handicapping perspective but a further step up in trip is a concern.
Took nine goes to get off the mark but has been a winning machine since, notching victory number five over C&D 11 days ago with four of today's rivals behind him; thriving and just 4lb higher today.
Front-runner who made all at Newcastle (6f) last autumn; doubts today include fitness after 20 weeks off, stamina and the surface (unplaced all three turf outings).
Only sixth to Jez Bomb over C&D 11 days ago but he has a poor reappearance record and can be expected to improve for that run; 13 of his 14 wins have come on good ground or softer, though, so he'd benefit from rain.
Sole win came when dead-heating in three-runner race at Dundalk (7f, AW) in February 2024; unplaced all other starts, and he finished last of 11 on stable debut at Wolverhampton six weeks ago; difficult to recommend.
11-race maiden; upped to 1m on reappearance and might have needed the run, fading; placed at York, Chester and Newcastle in first half of last year and no forlorn hope if returning to his best.
Has run two of his best races here, chasing home Jez Bomb over C&D last month when the winner had the benefit of a previous run; 7lb lower than last winning mark; solid contender.
