Shine On Brendan and ARKENSTAAR have both won five times around here and the latter gets the vote, having won this race last year and dropped back to his last winning mark. Detective will be suited by the return to a stiffer track, while Epidravros and Cosmos Raj are others for the shortlist.[David Bellingham]
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Has run well on turf but looks better on the AW with two wins and seven placings from 11 starts, including finishing runner-up at Newcastle (1m) the last twice; others preferred now back on grass.
Won at Carlisle (7.7f, soft) and here (1m1f, good to soft) last September; beaten just over a length into second of five (clear of the third) at Musselburgh (1m1f, good to soft) 15 days ago and races off the same mark; contender.
Running well over 7f lately, finishing second of 12 at Ayr (good) six days ago; races off the same mark, but a suspicion that this trip on a stiff track might just stretch him.
Mainly seen on the AW these days and his last three wins have come on it, but he is at least as effective on turf (6-33) and he ran well back on grass when second of ten at Wetherby (1m, good to firm) a week ago; shortlisted.
Five-time winner here, four over this trip; never got involved on his Musselburgh reappearance (1m, good) three weeks ago when behind Detective, but he doesn't have a great record fresh in any case; may not want the ground to dry out too much, but no surprise if he fares better; stable also runs Yellow Lemons.
Course winner over 1m3f; back with his former trainer when a good third of 13 on his return from 138 days off at Musselburgh (1m, good) three weeks ago; still just 1lb above his last winning mark and the return to this stiff track is very much in his favour; respected.
All five wins have come here including this race last year, while he is back off the same mark as when successful back at this venue later the same month; never figured on last month's Pontefract return, but very much respected back here.
