John Smith's Scottish Stewards' Cup Handicap

Has been a standing dish in these type of contests for several seasons, winning several of them at this trip. Has won from higher marks in the distant past, but not in recent times, however, and although he should be thereabouts he might just find a couple too good.

Signed off last season with a 6f Doncaster win (good) and went very close on his first three starts this term, though came unstuck at Royal Ascot last time in the Wokingham. Can be forgiven that and with cheekpieces on he remains of interest despite being nudged up another 2lb.

Forecast conditions not ideal, as all of his winning form has been on good or slower ground and it was soft when he scored at Thirsk over this trip in May. Now 13lb higher after going close in a hot Epsom handicap last month. Remains progressive, though whether he can produce his best on fast ground is there to be proved.

It's a long time since he has the pace to win over this trip, with all successes since 2015 being over further. Won't mind conditions, but he remains 4lb higher than his last success and needs to find a bit more despite a 1lb drop since his latest 2L second.

Has largely been consistent since the onset of spring, winning over 7f at Newcastle last time after a couple of decent efforts on turf. Has raced only over 7f or further since the autumn. Could argue that he is still unexposed at this trip, but from 4lb higher than his latest win, this is no easy assignment.

Becoming increasingly difficult to win with the the handicapper has only steadily released his grip despite a string of defeats. Back up 1lb again here after going close at Doncaster last time but trip and ground suit and he should remain competitive.

Very much a 6f specialist, with all of his win and placed form being over this trip. The most recent of those equalled his career best at Ayr last time. Has run well from this 6lb higher mark in the past, though not been quite good enough to win from it, though with his useful 3lb claimer you he is not ruled out.

Still early days for this colt, who has won two of his eight starts including last time over C&D (soft) by 3¼L. Has gone up 8lb for that and is now upped in class again (held in this grade at Chestr in May), but he handles fast ground, stays 7f and may not have stopped progressing.

Beaten 3½L by Al Qahwa at York (soft) in May and couldn't blame conditions for that. Now 6lb better off with that reopposing rival and also 1lb lower than when a 2L third at Thirsk (6f, good) last time. Probably has each-way claims if things drop right.

Took a bit of time to come to hand this term but won at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last time from today's mark in classified company. Cheekpieces back on this time (won in them first time) but back in this grade in handicap company more will be required if he is to follow-up from this mark.

Wonderful servant to connections with nine wins from 51 starts, including a Group Three and several Listed contests. Has been on the slide since last winning in 2015 and has become very competitive on his last two runs from similar marks. Of more concern here are forecast conditions, as he is at his best on softer ground.

Has strung together several worthy efforts and was rewarded for that with success at Atyr (6f, good to soft) last time. Carries a penalty for that here and a glance at his CV suggests that in this grade it will be a bridge too far.

Both his wins have come on good to firm and over today's trip, the latest being from 6lb lower at Doncaster in April. However, he has been well held from just 1lb higher on his last two outings over 5f, so those supporting him will have to hope that he can improve for the return to this distance.

Won a Newcastle maiden in November (6f, AW) on his third start. Gelded and given a decent break before being brought back at Newmarket (7f, good) last month, when he raced keenly and beat everything bar the runaway winner. Receives plenty of weight here and could go very well now back down in trip. Interesting.