The likes of Stressfree, Faylaq (rejuvenated) and Steel Tiger clearly need respect but a lot of the attention will be focused on the Gosdens' lightly raced handicap newcomer SHADER, and deservedly so given the style in which he left his rivals behind in two AW novice events in September. Albany has looked good on her day and remains lightly raced but Kildare Legend resuming last season's improvement may represent the chief threat to the selection.[Richard Austen]
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Group-class stayer who came to himself again to run two big races last August/September, but was below that level in two runs at Meydan in January and pulled up amiss at Riyadh in February; needs to be at or near his best for a leading role on this first start since, but this is only 1m4f.
2024 proved very disappointing, a false dawn when beaten a head at Newbury (2m, good to firm) in July off today's mark; left William Haggas for 170,000gns and made a satisfactory return when sixth of 12 in 1m4f York handicap, which he needs to build on; often tongue tied but not last time or today.
Promising debut (good to firm) last August; bounded clear at Southwell next time and ended well on top at Kempton (again 1m4f, AW) in another novice in September; gelded since; cheekpieces all starts; dispatched some pretty useful rivals last time and looks an exciting handicap debutant.
Extremely solid sequence at about 1m2f but he comes from off the pace and has often met trouble in running; that wasn't the case at York this month on second attempt at 1m4f (first run on good to firm) and he had every chance in going down by a head; up 3lb with each-way claims.
Went an age without winning for most of his career but he put that right last August/September and has now won twice this month as well; has developed tactical versatility too; back up another 3lb and in class, but there's still mileage in his mark if judged on his old form.
Reliable at up to 1m6f in form terms for Karl Burke but he didn't look well handicapped after trying some tough assignments; visored last two starts but not today; sold for 49,000gns in November and the handicapper needs to show some mercy.
Won well at Pontefract (1m2f, good) in April; only his second attempt at this sort of trip when creditable, keeping-on third of five at Lingfield (11.6f, good to firm) this month but he'll need better than that, whereas he was well beaten over 1m4f at York (Stressfree second) four days later.
Big chance on best 2023 efforts for Roger Varian but he did not shine last year (hurdles/Flat) for Emmet Mullins; 8,500gns buy in September and heavily beaten at 100-1 in a warm AW handicap five weeks ago; visored that day and his more usual cheekpieces now return; others are more solid at present.
Not all plain sailing, far from it, but she returned from more than a year off when winning a handicap at Nottingham (1m2f, heavy) in good style last October; 10lb higher today over a new trip but she has a fine pedigree and is not comfortably dismissed.
Can race freely and has been hooded except on last four outings, running well in those only on second occasion; wore cheekpieces on last five starts (also tongue tied on latest) but now has a first-time visor; reliable sort previously over 1m4f-1m6f, ideally suited by softer than good, and he has a very good mark if back to his best on this second run of 2025.
Has won on ground ranging from good to firm to heavy, but withdrawn twice this month; Newbury 1m2f has suited him particularly well, given he won there on his first two starts of 2023 and also on heavy once last September, but limited attempts beyond that (latest in 2023) did not prove his stamina.
Big career highlight was his wide-margin win at Newmarket (1m4f, good; off just 1lb lower than today) in May on first run last season; last seen in August; gelded since and has left Sir Michael Stoute; won first time out in 2023 as well as 2024, so needs a close look.
All turf starts have been on softer than good; won a Southwell novice last July, followed up in 1m4f handicap at Doncaster (1m4f, good to soft) and good third of 15 off this mark in valuable 1m4f race at Newmarket; he failed to live up to favouritism at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) on reappearance but wasn't disgraced and, after just six races, may still do better.
Best turf form was on heavy going, but runner-up on good and good to soft at start of career; scored on AW in December and April, before another good AW run back at 1m4f three weeks ago; player if AW form is transferred.
Best form came over about 1m4f on turf last summer, with two wins (York and Chepstow) and three close seconds, including at York Ebor meeting (same mark today); he's not sparked in the same way in his four races since but latest start (third of seven at Newmarket) was his best effort this term; well treated if he returns to peak form.
All five races last term were on softer than good, winning a novice at Windsor (1m, soft) in May and handicap at Leicester (1m2f, heavy) in October; gelded and raised 5lb, with a backward step when reappearing at Goodwood (1m2f, good) four weeks ago; 1m4f is interesting but lots of rain may be needed.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
