There is plenty to suggest that Racingbreaks Ryder is set for a bold show but that is probably not enough to contain NARIKO (nap), who came so close to ending last season with a hat-trick over 6f in the mud and ended up showing major encouragement for this new trip of 7f. Hugo Palmer's 4yo can make this a winning reappearance and it may well be between the two of them, although soft ground offers a bit of hope for some of the others.[Richard Austen]
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At his very best last year on the AW; not disgraced on either start this term (turf/AW) and he wasn't beaten far in one 7f race on soft ground last September, but turf form does suggest that others have the edge.
Lightly raced 4yo; gelded and wearing first-time blinkers, back with a bang to make all in a novice at Catterick in April; faded to a 19l defeat in Chester handicap (again 7f on good; unraced on softer) four weeks later, however, so others look more solid options.
Placed (last year) in the last two of his five visits to Goodwood and no ground worries; waited until October for his only win last year (Catterick) but his recent AW third suggests he's ready for a big run today.
Won at Haydock last May, followed up at Salisbury in October and beaten a nose at Doncaster on final 3yo outing; those were all over 6f on soft or heavy (unraced on good to soft) and 7f now looks well worth a go; good chance assuming she's raring to go for this reappearance.
Ended last season with his first win (Yarmouth 7f, soft) since debut; he's beaten just one home in both of his starts this term, which introduces doubts even though he could return to soft ground today.
7f wins in six of his seven races on AW this year; turf mark has risen in tandem, however, and he came only 11th of 13 when returned to this sphere three weeks ago; that was on good to firm but there are enough doubts.
3-15 on AW, the most recent win over 7f in February; close third on AW on penultimate start but well held over C&D (good) latest in just his second turf race, so the surface asks a major question.
Won for Micky Hammond last spring on her first two starts, latterly on soft and her second at Carlisle (6f) last August was also on soft going; that offers some hope if it's similar ground today on third start for new connections but there have been too many modest shows for comfort.
7f maiden winner on soft ground in Ireland last September; comparable form in two of his three starts since, including latest, and he needs a second look despite probably needing a bit of overall improvement.
7yo with 11 wins; the latest over this far was in 2021 and the latest all told was last October over 5f, albeit on soft ground; this season's best effort (three starts back) was at 7f but on Lingfield AW and there's plenty for her to prove over this trip on turf.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )