The most appeal belongs to EAST INDIA DOCK, who has headed the market in ante-post lists and deserved to do so following his high-profile exploits over hurdles. The progressive nature of his 2024 Flat campaign, when stamina was called upon, made him interesting enough as it was. Zoffee has excelled in the last two renewals of this race and goes second on the list, ahead of Who's Glen, who should build on his second in last month's Queen's Prize at Kempton, and the 2m AW winner Hot Fuss. Caballo De Mar would put up a bold show if his recent AW form is transferred, while Leinster is promising and seriously unexposed, not having gone beyond the 1m4f of his reappearance win. Chemistry, formerly with Aidan O'Brien, looks an interesting staying prospect for his new yard.[Richard Austen]
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Two wins from five races for Aidan O'Brien, awarded a Listed contest at Leopardstown (1m6f, good) as he was battling back strongly when bumped in the closing stages; good second of 22 in major 1m5f handicap there next time but ended on a poor note; blinkered all starts but now visored and also gelded, following his 30,000gns sale in October; needs improvement but he gallops on as if he could be an out-and-out stayer.
Won 2m5f Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot in 2023 and 2m Curragh Group 3 last November; also effective in top, big-field handicaps, having been seriously involved in the Cesarewitch and Irish Cesarewitch; return to his peak (after an easy-to-forgive reappearance) would see him on the premises but wide draw may play against that.
Improved in handicaps in 2023 and 2024, for instance going close at Royal Ascot (2m4f, good to firm) last term, and she's reappeared with creditable runs in four-runner Listed and Group 3 races this season; usually ridden by Kaiya Fraser; needs better still but she's respected on first run here.
6-16 on AW and shaped as if better than ever 12 days ago when making up plenty of late ground in a warm but steadily run 2m race won by Caballo De Mar at Southwell; return to turf poses the big question as he's been always behind in major races in his only three turf starts, 11th of 16 in this (12-1) last year.
Wide-margin win here (1m6f, heavy) last September and second of nine in useful handicap at Kempton (upped to 2m, AW) six weeks ago; his only two turf runs were in the mud; that poses a question but he's steadily progressive.
Joined this yard last September and has done well for them on the Flat and over hurdles; ran creditably, almost alongside Duke Of Oxford, in steadily run race won by Caballo De Mar at Southwell 12 days ago and there's a good chance this trip will suit if he adapts to the track and wide draw.
On Flat turf his sole win was a 2yo novice and peak results have been on soft or heavy; he's also acquitted himself with credit on good and good to soft over hurdles, though, and his latest Flat run was his best, when upped to 2m at Southwell (AW) in February and winning in clearcut style; bold show over hurdles at Cheltenham Festival since; case can be made.
Very nearly won the 2023 Chester Cup and everything fell right for him in last year's renewal (good to firm) when going one better off a 1lb lower mark than he has today; the lack of a race this year is the same as 2023 and, for the third time in this, he has a very low draw; he's now a 9yo and 3lb claimer is recruited, but no imagination is required to see him bang there.
Peak form for the Gosdens (registered at 1m6f on good or 1m4f/2m on AW) gives him a shout and he's shown some fair form over hurdles for new yard, albeit with a last of three on AW Flat on penultimate outing as well; tongue tied first time; others are more persuasive.
No show in this race last year but he returned to Chester for 2m wins last August and September, and his last three wins have now been at this track; not disgraced on reappearance four weeks ago but his 2024 campaign suggests this race might be a bit too competitive and, although not drawn as wide as last year, stall 13 might still not be ideal.
Often ridden by Zak Wheatley; would-be front-runner but slow starts have been interfering with that, including when he nevertheless managed second in this last year (good to firm; 2lb lower today); best known for exploits at Chester, admittedly last winning in July 2023 but his recent creditable reappearance should have brought him on; drawn low but the slow starts are a worry.
Has had only four races; won a maiden at Down Royal (1m2f, good) last May; returned from 270 days off to make all in 18-runner handicap at the Curragh (1m4f, soft; favourite) six weeks ago and trainer expressed confidence that day that this Camelot 4yo has strength in stamina; he could not have been raised much further in trip than this but has to be respected.
Progressive at up to 2m on the Flat last year for James Fanshawe; there were suggestions in that campaign that he could do better still and they can only be strengthened by what he's done since as one of the top juvenile hurdlers; below form last April/June on his only two starts on good to firm but excuses can be made; big shout, surely, if the ground is okay.
Ended last season with two wins and has started this campaign with three more; the first win was on good ground and those since all on Southwell AW; withdrawn (upset in the stalls) once last month; dictated a slow pace in a warm race nine days later on first crack at 2m, which played against two of today's rivals for a start, but he nevertheless impressed in finishing firmly in charge; with 3lb penalty there's no doubt he's well handicapped.
1-6 in France, the win over 1m2f on heavy as 2yo; comfortably won a juvenile maiden on her hurdle and stable debut at Leicester (1m7f, heavy) in December but well below that level on both attempts since, falling on latest; lots to prove even though stamina should be a strength.
Won twice on good to firm in 2023; fourth and a respectable ninth in last two editions of the 2m2f Cesarewitch at Newmarket (soft) in October; while he's not done much over hurdles for a long while now and has been absent since November, those Newmarket runs mean he's not totally dismissed.
Useful juvenile hurdler, staying on well for third of 22 in handicap at Cheltenham Festival; close, never-nearer third of 14 at Chelmsford (1m6f, AW) next time was improved Flat form and also gave this trip some appeal, but he did not back up that performance when favourite at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) on Sunday and now has the widest draw.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
