Will find this easier than some of the tasks he's faced this season, but does seem to have lost his form over the winter and needs to bounce back from a poor effort at Sandown (never travelled).
Takes a drop in grade here, but has found himself in the grip of the handicapper since back-to-back wins just over a year ago. Dropped 4lb for latest, which will help, and handles soft/heavy well. Market may guide.
Turned his recent form around in no uncertain terms at Leicester, winning an easy 10l, but that wasn't much of a race and a 7lb rise looks plenty. All wins have come right-handed as well (despite the fact he jumps left) and plenty on to follow up.
Often goes well fresh in the autumn before losing his form, and that's been much the case again this season, winning twice in October/November but soon beaten at Doncaster latest. Drops in grade but still too much to take on trust.
No disgrace in getting beaten by the fast-improving Coolking at Plumpton latest, but he's not won for some 18 months now;. Handicapper starting to cut him a bit of slack, however, and this isn't the toughest contest.
Recent run at Carlisle after 15 months away wasn't a disaster, and he would have badly needed that. Will strip fitter here and step back up in trip a plus, but may not want the ground too deep. Best watched today.
Non-Runners
7
Harry Hunt28
Weight: 11-3| Age: 10
T: D Killahena & G McPherson J: Kielan Woods
NR
Forecasts
Saroque (2/1), As De Fer (10/3), Sunny Ledgend (7/2), Purcell's Bridge (7/1), Blue Kascade (8/1), Cody Wyoming (12/1), Harry Hunt (25/1)
Nothing here has a rock-solid profile and the advice is to tread carefully. SAROQUE hasn't won for a while but with conditions fine, and the yard going well, can get on the scoresheet at the expense of As De Fer , who is slowly being released from the grip of the handicapper and should find this a bit easier. Cody Wyoming has a touch of quality and if on his best behaviour, could get involved.