Winners Are Welcome At Matchbook Handicap

Won twice over at the Meydan Carnival this year, proving he goes on the likely fast ground he will get here. Not disgraced in the Guineas after he missed the break. His pacemaker duties went out of the window there but ran on okay and finished seventh of 10. Will appreciate the drop in class but handicapper hasn't missed him and others likely to be on a more lenient mark.

All of his wins have come over the minimum trip and struggling to get his head in front recently. Needs to find more and no signs that he is particularly well handicapped.

Followed up a maiden win at Chelmsford with a respectable effort behind the talented Second Thought at Lingfield in a Listed contest. Well beaten in a valuable race at Newcastle last time but went too fast on the front end and should give a better account here if his jockey can get the fractions right.

Lost his way as a juvenile after two wins in his first three starts but has bounced back this year and every chance there could be more to come from this mark. Draw not ideal but trainer has a fine record around here and he would appear to be the stables first string from the three they have in the race.

Off the mark at the fifth attempt in a maiden when last seen at Doncaster, winning easily. Handicapper taken no risks off the back of that effort and may come on for this run. Opposable from a wide draw.

Easy winner on debut at Kempton before Christmas but beaten when a short-ptriced favourite at Wolverhampton the next time and finished last of 13 at Sandown last time. Questions to answer now.

Confirmed the promise of his maiden at York with two wins at Lingfield since, justifying favouritism on each occasion. Handicapper certainly not over reacted and has to be of interest with one of the more promising claimers taking off 7lb in the saddle.

Even money shot when getting off the mark at Ayr in July on second start and not disgraced when going down to a horse now rated 107 at Haydock. Surely more to come this season and handicap mark looks fair but he would appear to be down the order on jockey bookings and he may need this after a substantial absence.

Justified favouritism at the second attempt having lost out at odds-on on debut. Too keen to do himself justice on his first turf start last time but still not disgraced and drop back in trip/first-time hood should both help him settle. Handicapper not taken any chances though and likely to struggle from out of the handicap.

Won his first two starts and fair third of 20 at Redcar on his final appearance of 2016. Didn't show enough on comeback at Newmarket though to warrant consideration in a race as competitive as this.