1

Hot Fuss

Fourth on both starts this season, though on neither occasion has he looked like winning. May need to slip further down the handicap.

2

Persica

Has already won a handicap – over 1600m under a positive ride – at Kempton last year. Plenty to like about his fourth in a hotly contested handicap over this trip at Newbury. Winning chances.

3

Golden West

Proven around Epsom – quite an advantage – winning here last October. Limited impact in two runs this season but they were at G3 level. This handicap more suitable.

4

Grey Cuban

Gained his first career victory on his 2024 return when streaking clear of his rivals at Wolverhampton. Didn’t progress from that on his handicap debut at Chester. Trying further.

5

Whiskey Pete

Led early on but lost his action and was pulled up on his only 2024 start. He had looked smart when beating nine rivals in a soft-ground York handicap last October.

6

Redhot Whisper

Looks a hard ride, hanging badly left-handed when second of eight in a maiden at Nottingham recently. Has clear talent but needs to become more tractable.

7

Bubbles Wonky

Good efforts on all three career starts. That includes an easy heavy ground victory at Catterick and a narrow defeat on his 2024 return. This longer trip looks positive.

8

Portsmouth

No worries with Epsom’s gradients when an easy handicap winner here in April. Raced too freely on heavy ground when up to this trip at Goodwood, doing really well in the circumstances.

9

Cool Legend

Looks like a strong staying type so a swift pace would surely help his claims. Likely to be sharper for his seasonal return and handicap debut at York in May.

10

Prepschool

A staying on third over this trip in a Sandown handicap was the best of his three 2024 starts. Never got into a challenging position in a strong Newbury handicap on 18 May.

11

Blake

On the upgrade and also brave judging by his victory at Sandown on 23 May before this challenge. Pedigree provides optimism for this longer trip. Soft ground preferred.

12

Commander Crouch

Not at his best in three starts this year and also yet to win on a grass surface. Perhaps this rise in trip will help but his pedigree would be hopeful – not confident – about that.