Ground: Good | Pace: Very Strong | Draw Bias: Mid favoured
Field: 14 runners (4yo+), competitive mid-tier handicap with multiple hold-up types vs a few pace-forcers

🏇 Top Contender: MADAME DE SEVIGNE (Adj TFR: 101)

Trainer: Robert Eddery | Jockey: James Doyle (37% strike rate on favs) | Layoff: 148 days
Timeform flags her as the one “taken to resume winning ways” after ending last season on a roll — wins at Leicester and Newmarket, then a career-best 101-rated 2nd at Newmarket in November.
✔ Suits pace setup (likes a strong pace to run at)
✔ Proven off a break (raced well fresh last spring)
✔ 7f ideal; good-to-soft okay
⚠ Slight layoff but manageable (use -2lb only with Doyle booked and stable form okay)

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🔥 Main Dangers:

METAVERSE (Adj TFR: 99)

A classy type from David Menuisier’s yard. Excuses on final two starts of 2024 when badly positioned in big fields. Before that, ran to a rock-solid 97 in victory at Newmarket.
✔ Handles fast or good ground
✔ Oisin Murphy booked
⚠ 190-day layoff — default -5lb, though trainer can ready one

⏱️ Timeform says: “Had excuses on his final two starts in 2024… could bounce back.”

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CHUZZLEWIT (Adj TFR: 99)

Kevin Ryan’s runner brings a 96+ rating on synthetic and caught the eye last time when poorly positioned but still running on. Has turf form too.
✔ Fitness edge (only 24 days off)
✔ Likely improver with mid-draw
⚠ Suspect at this trip on turf in stronger company

Timeform note: “Shaped better than bare result last time. Could be peaking now.”

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YANTARNI (Adj TFR: 100)

Bit of a wildcard for Ian Williams – form abroad has dipped, but ran to 99 in better UK company and stable can land a touch.
✔ Just 24 days off
✔ Well-drawn for stalking ride
⚠ Profile erratic, hasn’t hit top gear in 2025 yet

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⚠️ Honourable Mentions / Each-Way Types

• OUTRUN THE STORM (Adj TFR 99): Strong finisher, pace could suit; drawn low though
• CIRCE (Adj TFR 97): Won off similar marks; versatile but ideally wants smaller field

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💬 Timeform Analyst Highlights

• “Madame De Sevigne ended last year on the up… taken to resume winning ways.”
• “Metaverse had excuses on his final 2 starts in 2024…”
• “Ata Rangi an interesting contender on handicap debut” — (NR now)

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⚖️ Verdict:

With conditions to suit, a mid draw, strong pace, and one of the sharpest jockeys around on board, MADAME DE SEVIGNE brings the strongest overall profile and comes out top on ratings.
Main threats: METAVERSE (if ready), CHUZZLEWIT (value play), YANTARNI (bounceback chance).
Could shape up as a race run at a furious gallop, rewarding those stalking midfield — exactly where the favourite wants to be.