A typically competitive 3yo handicap over 7 furlongs, this Class 2 event has been used as a springboard for progressive types, with recent winners including Aldaary (2021) and Alflaila (2022), both of whom went on to Group success. The race often goes to horses who are improving quickly, with trainers William Haggas and Charles Hills each winning in the last five years.

Strongest Contenders

POWER FIZZ (IRE) (Timeform rating: 121, OR 86)
Trainer: William Haggas | Jockey: Adam Farragher
Has progressed well since the turn of the year, winning at Newcastle and Newmarket before narrowly going down at Goodwood last week. His mark remains unchanged from that effort. The Timeform comment notes he’s “well treated off same mark” and the in-running average of trading at 89% of BSP shows strong consistency. With a strong pace expected, his closing style should be suited. Haggas has won this race in 2021 with Aldaary.

PHILANTHROPIST (Timeform rating: 113, OR 86)
Trainer: James Fanshawe | Jockey: Jack Doughty (3)
Lightly raced gelding who made a successful return from a 7-month break at Southwell in April, getting up late. Has improved with each run and remains unexposed at the trip. Timeform note his “tidy turn of foot”, and he stays 7f well. The current mark looks workable based on his recent improvement.

BRAVE MISSION (Timeform rating: 111p, OR 91)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett | Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Won a Kempton novice last backend and returned to win again at the same venue in March. This is his handicap debut, and he remains open to significant improvement. Timeform flags him as “horse in focus”, and Beckett has an 18% strike rate with handicap debutants. Dam and pedigree suggest he will improve over further in time, but his tactical speed makes him interesting here.

Main Dangers

SHOUT (IRE) (Timeform rating: 113, OR 93)
Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford | Jockey: Robert Havlin
Returned with a solid second in a decent Newbury handicap off a 7-month break. He was gelded over the winter and shaped as though he’d come forward from that effort. Has solid 2yo form, including a three-length nursery win at Doncaster. Worth monitoring if support comes in the market again.

HUMAM (IRE) (Timeform rating: 115, OR 87)
Trainer: Andrew Balding | Jockey: Jason Watson
Smartly-bred colt with solid all-weather form over the winter. Ran sixth at Newcastle in a strong AW Championships contest, shaping as though he may prefer slightly easier ground. Has shown versatility in running styles but may find this scenario sharp unless stamina comes into play late.

MASTER TECHNICIAN (IRE) (Timeform rating: 114, OR 84)
Trainer: Rod Millman | Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Placed in both starts this spring, including a close second in a valuable AW Championship race at Newcastle. Drawn well in stall 1 and suited by the return to turf and 7f. Could hold each-way claims in a field of ten.

Interesting Outsiders

COLUMNIST (Timeform rating: 107, OR 103)
Trainer: Richard Fahey | Jockey: Oisin James Orr
Off the track for 285 days, having last been seen finishing a good third in the Group 3 Prix de Cabourg. Has been gelded since and shaped previously as though this return to 7f will suit. Market support would be significant given the layoff.

STAR ANTHEM (IRE) (Timeform rating: 103, OR 103)
Trainer: Clive Cox | Jockey: Finley Marsh
Another making his seasonal debut. Ran well in the Group 3 Horris Hill last October, finishing third. Holds useful juvenile form and stays 7f well. Should be monitored in the betting after 195 days off.

VICTORY SOUND (IRE) (Timeform rating: 106, OR 86)
Trainer: Charles Hills | Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
Held his form reasonably as a 2yo and made a fair return when runner-up in a Kempton minor event in March. Still lightly raced but might need to improve again to be involved. Charles Hills trained the 2023 winner of this race.

Trends and Trainer Notes

• 4 of the last 6 winners had run within the previous 30 days.
• William Haggas (Power Fizz) and Charles Hills (Victory Sound) have both won this race in recent years.
• 3 of the last 5 winners were sent off favourite or second-favourite.
• Geldings have won 3 of the last 5 editions.

Summary

Power Fizz arrives with the strongest recent form and highest adjusted rating, remaining on a workable mark. Philanthropist and Brave Mission are progressive types, while Shout and Master Technician have solid each-way profiles. Horses returning from breaks such as Columnist and Star Anthem have the form to figure but are best watched in the market after absences.