If there's any turf track where the AW dynamo NIGHT RAIDER is going to succeed it's this one as front-runners, even ones who aren't especially high-powered elsewhere, can be very hard to peg back. He, Inisherin and Flora Of Bermuda look slightly favoured by the draw and it could be that Inisherin, winner of a Group 1 on fast ground, will be the main danger ahead of Elite Status. Both were up-and-coming sprinters this time last year and should leave their disappointing ends to the season behind them. In contrast, Flora Of Bermuda ended 2024 on a high and she is another classy prospect for the coming months.[Emily Weber]
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Won Group 3 at Deauville (soft) as a 2yo but that surface left him cold when last seen at Ascot in October; had looked as though he might be a high flyer in the sprinting division earlier in the year, when coming clear in a Listed Newbury race before landing a Group 3 there (good to firm); had a draw excuse at Haydock in September but looks well berthed today and this could be the time to catch him.
Two barnstorming wins against his own age group when dropped to 6f, in a Group 2 at Haydock (soft) and the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Ascot (good to firm) but he didn't cope as well against the older sprinters in the July Cup at Newmarket nor did he redeem himself in the Sprint Cup at Haydock when last seen in September; has had wind surgery since though and the earlier promise can yet be fulfilled.
Won twice over 6f as a 2yo but he's raced over 5f for the last two years and, although not far behind the best in the division in 2024, he has something to prove on the trip score; flexible regarding the ground but his best effort, when winning a Group 2 at Haydock last May, came on soft and the chances are that he'll come on for the run.
Had some wobbles in 2024 but he's maintained a high standard on AW and turf this year, undoubtedly better than the bare result when third, after hampered and having to be switched, in a 6f Doncaster Listed race in March (good to soft; under penalty); however, the bar is much higher here.
Once again he had too much power for his rivals from the front when making it 4-4 on AW in a 6f Listed race at Newcastle in November; has yet to prove himself on turf but this will be the first time he's had the right set-up on grass, as efforts to restrain him proved futile over 1m (2,000 Guineas) and 7f (Group 3) 12 months ago and he didn't cope with testing ground when dropped to 6f in August; a healthy early lead looks likely and even these quick sprinters may find it hard to keep him in their sights.
Three 7f wins on Tapeta for this yard, including a Listed in March; took an early bump back on turf in a Group 3 at Newmarket in April and he never settled before running on at one pace in the closing stages; the likely strong pace today should be more to his liking and perhaps the more conventional track, too, and this is an interesting choice of assignment.
Probably versatile regarding the ground, having run very well despite the interrupted passage, in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock (good) before running the race of her life to be a close third in the Champions Sprint at Ascot (soft) in October; she may well improve further and have a good year as a 4yo; respected.
Impressive in a warm C&D handicap (good to firm) last July and ended 2024 by winning a Listed fillies' race at Newmarket (6f, soft) but her bare form isn't up to this level and her reappearance record is not strong.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
