Longholes Handicap

Winner of his last two starts, a valuable handicap at York followed by a narrow success at Ripon on his return last week. Has carried big weights to victory previously in his career so not ruled having only gone up 3lb.

Fair effort behind Muthmir at Bath last time when conceding first run to the winner but needs to build on that now and the suspicion is that others will prove better handicapped.

Up another 3lb for not winning over C&D last time and while he went close on all three of his starts last year, the fact he didn't get his head in front is a little off-putting. Trainer has a fair record with horses returning from a break but he will probably need to have found some improvement if he's to take this contest.

Picked up by Kevin Ryan after winning a claimer by seven lengths for David Nicholls at Epsom in July and fair efforts on three of his four most recent starts. Looked a little unlucky not to win last time and he should go well if he gets a strong pace to run at off a lenient looking mark but not guaranteed that pace.

Losing run stretched to 11 last time when only third on the AW at Wolverhampton and not won since a narrow success at Ascot back in 2015. Handicap mark starting to look a little lenient now but he does have a bit to prove at present.

Just one win from his last 24 starts and that came on the AW at Southwell. Proved very disappointing at Newbury last time and De Sousa prefers the claims of Hakam.

Bounced back to form in Listed contest on Lincoln Day at Doncaster with a 4L second behind Tupi. Remains on a mark of 100 and fast ground over a C&D he has won at before should be right up his street so he should go well.

Produced a career best to win at Goodwood around this time last year, awarded the race in the stewards room but would have won if he hadn't of been carried. Returns to that mark after a couple of very disappointing efforts on the AW, possibly amiss each time. Needs the return to turf to spark a revival but not discounted if he can get back on track.

Not beaten a rival home on his two starts since joining this yard but won a valuable contest in France towards the end of last season. Needs to show more before becoming of intererst again.

Only beat one rival home in a total of three starts towards the end of last year and he is seen to best effect with cut in the ground. Hard to fancy in current mood and not particularly well-handicapped even on his best efforts.

Losing run now stands at 12 and while he has been running respectably of late, he's only 1lb below his highest winning mark. Unlikely to find improvement at this age and will want relief from the handicapper.

Has looked better over the minimum trip than 6f and returns 10lb higher than his last winning mark. While he went well at Beverley on return to action last time, he may struggle again with the step up in trip and trainer has a low strike-rate around here.

On the wrong end of a pace bias at Doncaster on seasonal reappearance but gained compensation when winning over C&D last time out. Shapes like he may be even better over a bit further and 8lb rise may be enough to stop him for win purposes, but he's relatively unexposed and holds a fair each-way chance.

Has looked progressive since joining this yard and while he's yet to win on turf, he went well here on his second start back in 2015. Blew his chance from the stalls last time but won his two races prior to that and he gets the vote of the stable jockey here, should go well.