Betfred Rose Of Lancaster Stakes (Group 3)

Highly-progressive at 3 and improved again when making a successful reappearance in ultra-competitive John Smith's Cup Handicap at York last month, with Intellogent ¾ length back in third. Could be more to come from this low-mileage 4-y-o.

Placed at Group 2/3 level in Europe last autumn. Ran well until his stamina gave out in 1½m Old Newton Cup here last month but likely to come up short in this company unless first-time cheekpieces spark improvement.

Group 3 winner in 2020. Off 18 months, showed that he retains plenty of ability when second in Huxley at Chester but only mid-field in Wolferton at Royal Ascot and John Smith's Cup at York since. Others preferred.

Won this race 12 months ago but hasn't hit the same heights in 4 outings this year. Will need to get back to his very best if he's to go close to defending his crown.

Dual Group 3 winner in Europe last year and it hasn't taken long for him to show himself capable of even better form for his new yard, blitzing his rivals from the front in Newbury listed over this triup last month. Will take a lot of stopping if in a similar mood.

Group 1 winner in France as a 3-y-o and new stable has coaxed him back to his best, running crackers under big weights in the Royal Hunt Cup and John Smith's Cup on his last 2 starts. ¾-length behind Anmaat in latter but meets him on 2 lb better terms now so there should be little between them.

Front-runner who showed he's still capable of smart form when second in 1m Pontefract listed 13 days ago but this is a stronger race and this extended 1¼m stretches his stamina in any case.

Group 3 winner at Goodwood last summer and back to his best when making all in 1¼m Sandown listed 5 weeks ago, with the reopposing Foxes Tales back in fourth. No reason he won't give another good account.

Reacted positively to blinkers when dominating small-field 1¼m handicaps at Chelmsford and Newmarket in June. Posted a smart effort at latter track but fair bit more will be needed again now stepping up to pattern company.

Got his career firmly back on track after a gelding op when readily landing a 1¼m handicap at the Epsom Derby meeting. Will need another chunk of improvement now stepping back up in up class but his lightly-raced profile provides hope.