Settled at this grade and running to a fair level — third last time out and he produced a barnstorming 89-rated effort four runs back, the second-highest peak in the race. Six course-and-distance runs without making the first two is the worry, and his times are a shade behind the principals. Honest, but place money looks his most realistic target against these.

Ran his fastest time of 28.93 when second at this grade last time out, and he has been mixing it in A1 company before that. One win and two placings from seven course-and-distance runs shows he handles the place. The form is honest and the clock says he is close to the best of these — a live threat from the middle if the inside pair miss a beat at the break.

Dropping from A0 and A1 company but the form has been heading the wrong way — beaten out of sight last time and his recent ratings are well below what he was producing in the spring. Trap 5 is actually a decent box here at better than one in five, and one win from seven at the trip shows he can handle the track, but he needs to find his old spark in a hurry.

The only dog in the race with two course-and-distance wins, and his 28.88 best matches the fastest in the field — but he has not raced since the ninth of May, and a ten-week absence at this level is a serious hurdle. Trap 6 wins barely one in nine at this grade too. Respect the ability, fear the rust — and the combination of layoff plus the worst box is usually a losing double.