Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival Handicap (Premier Handicap)

Has scored twice at this course, including a listed race in 2024. Hasn't won in twelve starts but has generally been racing in a higher grade, whilst operating a shade below best this season. Makes only his third start in a handicap here.

Goes well here, winning in March over C&D and then landing a 20-runner handicap (1¼m, good to firm) in May. Was unsuited by the step up to 1¾m last time, though shaped as if still in form for a long way. The return to this trip will suit and he's high on the shortlist.

Signed off 2025 with a pair of 1m Dundalk victories and has returned in even better form this year, finishing an excellent second in the Spring Mile at Doncaster in March and Naas in May. Another bold bid surely incoming.

Dual winner over C&D. Run best excused when tenth of 23 in handicap (4/1) over C&D (heavy) when last seen in November, found to have bled. Best watched on return.

Winner of last year's Irish Lincolnshire. 40/1, best effort this season when seventh of 16 in handicap at Limerick (1m, good to soft) in April. Needs another step forward.

British raider who arrives well on the up, finally getting off the mark at Windsor (1m) in May before following up in 22-runner handicap at York (7f) just 8 days later. Beaten just a neck at Epsom earlier this month and has to be taken seriously despite a further 5 lb hike in the weights.

It's been a while since his last success (the 2023 Irish Cambridgeshire over C&D) but he's on a good mark and latest third of 7 in handicap at Leopardstown (9f, soft) 17 days ago proved he's still in form. Has the blinkers back on instead of the visor and has to be considered.

Won this race last year. Has yet to fire this season, but wasn't seen to best effect at Leopardstown earlier this month after 4 months off. Is back down to last winning mark.

Has proved rather hit-and-miss since landing this in 2024 (his last success). Is now 4 lb below that mark and has first-time blinkers added having had excuses last time.

Opened his account on final start last season at Leopardstown (9f). Got back on track with his sights lowered a touch when second of 10 in handicap there (7f, soft, 10/3) 24 days ago. More to do back up in grade.

Got off the mark on second of 3 starts last season. Left D. K. Weld and shaped as if better for run when sixth of 9 in handicap (12/1) at Limerick (1m, good to soft) 18 days ago on return. This is a deeper race.

Made the frame in 3 maidens last year and proved a different proposition when winning 19-runner event on handicap debut over C&D (good to firm, 11/1) in May, making all. Up 10 lb but has few miles on the clock and may yet have more to offer.

Proved a different proposition on first outing since leaving Emmet Mullins after 16 months off when bolting up in 23-runner 7f handicap at this course in March. Was an unlucky loser next time before making the frame at Naas in May. Tongue strap refitted but has a bit on from just out of the weights.