The in-form Mister Sox and course specialist Fortamour have plenty to recommend them, but drying ground would be a concern for both. THE GOOD BISCUIT caught the eye when behind the latter on stable debut over C&D last month and drying conditions would be right up his street. Fast-ground C&D winner Wreck It Ryley (second choice) wasn't able to show his best when behind Mister Sox at Pontefract last time and could pose the biggest threat granted more luck.[David Bellingham]
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All three wins have come on the AW and is lightly raced on turf (0-3), albeit he was beaten just over 2l into fifth of nine at Ascot (5f, good to firm) nine days ago; this trip suits him better, but this still looks a stiff task under top weight.
6-21 over C&D while his record in this race over the past three years reads 124; beaten just over a length into third of 13 on his return from 180 days off here last month and races off the same mark, so another big run seems likely provided the ground doesn't dry out too much.
Has dropped 3lb lower than for the last leg of his hat-trick in the autumn of 2023 when with Karl Burke, but having been gelded he finished well behind a couple of these on stable debut/reappearance over C&D last month; much more needed.
Lightly raced since winning twice for Jack Channon (6f, good to firm) in the summer of 2023, but made an eyecatching stable debut after 174 days off when fourth of 13 over C&D last month (under 2l behind Fortamour); interesting.
Favourably treated on his two AW wins last autumn, but all four successes have come on Tapeta and he has shown little in four goes on turf; others preferred.
C&D winner last August (good to firm) and made a successful return at Thirsk (6f, good) last month; only fifth of seven behind Mister Sox off this mark at Pontefract (6f, good) nine days ago, but ran into traffic; could figure with a clearer run.
Has been mainly campaigned over further in his career, but he took his record over 6f to 3-6 with fluent wins on good ground at Catterick and Pontefract since returning last month; still 2lb well in under a penalty for his latest success, but fast ground would pose a question.
Back off the same mark as when winning at Southwell (6f, AW) last November and no problem with the return to turf, but others are that bit more convincing.
