Almosh'her (second choice) surely brings the most potential but he's been seen only on the AW, racing freely, and he has the widest draw. The Reverend, from a stable to note, may well resume his progress this term but it's hard to ignore that he has raced on only good to soft, soft or heavy. Stressfree, similarly, has not raced on officially good to firm. Those, however, are three of the strongest contenders on other counts. It's a puzzle and a chance is taken instead that PARADIAS can carry on his good work from the AW at 1m2f-1m4f. He's from an in-form yard and scored on good to firm at Glorious Goodwood last August.[Richard Austen]
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All three wins were 1m Group 3s on the continent, latest in August 2023; joined current yard for three runs at Meydan this January-March, running on well from the back when second in a 1m1f handicap and third of seven in a steadily run Group 2 on first attempt at 1m4f; further investigation of this trip looks warranted and, although he is top weight, today's rivals can be questioned.
Last season proved very disappointing, a false dawn when beaten a head at Newbury (2m, good to firm) in July; often tongue tied but not today; first run since leaving William Haggas for 170,000gns last October.
Rarely seen on firmer than good; won stylishly at Meydan (1m4f, good) in March but put in his place off career-high mark back in Britain 15 days later; dropped back just 1lb, he may again find it tough.
Won well at Pontefract (1m2f, good) last month; only his second attempt at this sort of trip when creditable, keeping-on third of five at Lingfield (11.6f, good to firm) on Saturday, but he'll need better than that.
All starts have been on softer than good, best effort when he won in smooth style on handicap debut at Ascot (1m4f, soft) last September with first-time cheekpieces, which are removed today; two respectable efforts (1m6f/1m2f) off this 9lb higher mark in October; big question if it's fast ground today but he's lightly raced and may well be capable of better this term.
All three races were tight finishes on AW as short-priced favourite and he won two; latest was by a nose on handicap debut at Kempton (1m4f) ten weeks ago in which he raced freely and made most, hanging left in the straight but rallying; has since left Charlie Fellowes (same owners); clear potential but it would help if he settled better.
Extremely solid over the last ten months at about 1m2f, including at York, but he comes from off the pace and has often met trouble in running; sole attempt at 1m4f was a respectable one when seventh of 23 in the November Handicap at Doncaster, shaping as if he stayed; has never raced on firmer than good but otherwise has each-way appeal.
Sole turf start was his sole run as a 2yo; absent 411 days afterwards and he left that form well behind him this winter, including a 1m4f handicap win at Newcastle; however, he ended pulled up when favourite for a valuable race at same course on latest outing after helping to set a strong pace; peak AW form makes appeal.
Three good runs (one 1m4f win) on AW from three attempts this winter and absent for three months before a lesser show in April; has a mixed record (one C&D win) in his ten visits to York and, back up the weights after those AW runs, balance of his turf form suggests this is a tricky task.
Usually front-runner; last season's two wins (1m4f in April and September) came in small fields; in the form of his life in the autumn and creditable fifth of 14 at Musselburgh (1m6f) on reappearance; should go well.
Won both his York races in 2023, including at this meeting, but disappointed on both visits last season; gave only one echo last term of his old form, when making most at Ayr (1m2f) in September, and never got involved on reappearance one month ago; has nearly a career-low mark and cheekpieces are enlisted in bid to make the most of it.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
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