bet365 Apprentice Handicap

Course regular. Landed his first win away from this venue when tackling 1½m for the first time at Lingfield earlier this month. Ran at least as well in defeat when 1¼-length third over C&D latest, deserving additional credit given he came widest into the straight. Expected to go close here.

Matched best of his recent form when third at Chepstow on penultimate start. Wasn't disgraced/extended long losing run in Lingfield classified event in cheekpieces latest. Makes some appeal, with blinkers back on for first time since finishing third (in a slightly better event) here in the spring.

Quirky maiden who's been sent off at long odds on all previous starts. Ran respectably when beaten 13 lengths at Bath (1¾m) latest. Plenty on at the weights trying 1½m/this surface for the first time.

Opened her account in a 3-y-o C&D handicap in April. Ran better than for a while when beaten 4 lengths in first-time cheekpieces here latest. Needs a bit more to reverse form with Arlecchino's Rex, even with good-value claimer added to the mix.

Proved a different proposition in blinkers when making her second handicap start a winning one at Windsor, pulling clear with runner-up on long run-in. A sharper track may not be ideal, however, she's relatively fresh/unexposed and certainly interesting if headgear has a similar effect.

Placed 3 times in maiden company last summer. Went close in classified company at Ripon (1¼m, soft) in late-August. Wasn't as strong at the finish when 3 lengths fourth on first crack at 1½m at Newcastle subsequently. May find this track less taxing.

Hasn't beaten a rival to date, latterly in first-time cheekpieces on qualifying run at Lingfield (1¼m, 125/1). Hard to be confident she'll make an impact now handicapping over even further.

Low-mileage 3-y-o. Beat rivals for the first time in handicap company when dropped into this grade at Newcastle (1¼m) last time, finishing 7 lengths sixth of 11. No guarantee she builds on that back up in trip.

Finished 6 lengths fourth in a Southwell maiden (7f) this time last year. Only matched that form in handicaps, not helped by his free-going ways on recent starts over 1½m/1¾m (isn't bred to stay this far).

Hasn't kicked on since placing on first 2 handicap starts at Newcastle (1¼m) in April/May. Always behind on return to that track (1½m) last time.