1. Race Conditions & Pace/Draw Angles

Surface: Turf (Good)

Distance: Extended 3m2f (3m 2f 83y)

Pace Forecast: Very weak

Pace Bias: A slowly-run race is expected. This should favour those able to race prominently or control the tempo. WEST TO THE BRIDGE is best positioned in this context. BETHPAGE may be inconvenienced by how the race develops if held up again.



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2. Key Runners & Insights

Strongest Contenders

UP FOR PAROL (Snowden/Sheehan)

TFR 142 | Recent Form: 4th of 12 at Cartmel (25.4f, Gd/Sft) just five days ago, shaping well off a break.

Bumped into a progressive mare but kept on well. Strong staying form, and this longer trip should suit.

Jamie Snowden is in form. A consistent stayer who handles most ground.


BETHPAGE (Lavelle/Cobden)

TFR 141 | Recent Form: Close 2nd at Market Rasen latest (23.1f), holding form from her mares-only wins.

May need a stronger gallop than forecast, but she’s progressive and in peak form since a breathing operation.

Has won three times this season and now looks well suited by this longer trip.


LIHYAN (Menzies/Maggs)

TFR 139 | Recent Form: Scored in a small-field race at Huntingdon (25.1f, Good), holding off Dear Ralphy.

Often dropped out and might be at a disadvantage tactically. Still, is lightly raced at staying trips and improving.


Main Dangers

WEST TO THE BRIDGE (Skelton/Skelton)

TFR 140 | Recent Form: Fourth behind Minella Rescue at Uttoxeter (23.3f), faring best of those who went forward.

12 years old now but has retained enthusiasm. Tactically well placed if allowed to dictate. Ground suits.


IMPERIAL MERLIN (Quinn/Nichol)

TFR 138 | Recent Form: Haydock winner in March; seventh at Ayr last time after mistakes.

Often trades short in-running without delivering. Has ability but needs a clean round and can be tricky.


Interesting Outsider

JAYTEE (Williams/Hughes)

TFR 133 | Recent Form: Off 489 days. Last seen winning two Doncaster hurdles easily in early 2024.

Needs a market check after long layoff. Booking of Brian Hughes catches the eye. Lacks a recent run but stays well and is a dual winner at 3m+.



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3. Ratings Out of 10 (Based on Form, Profile, Trends & Race Shape)

Horse Rating (/10)

UP FOR PAROL 8.5
BETHPAGE 8
LIHYAN 7.5
WEST TO THE BRIDGE 7
IMPERIAL MERLIN 6
JAYTEE 5


Note: Market check advised on Jaytee returning from 489 days off. Watch for strength behind Imperial Merlin, who can trade short but flatter to deceive. Bethpage has raced frequently, so a quick return is also worth monitoring.


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4. Each-Way Angle

Not applicable – Only 6 runners declared.



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5. Private Tissue Estimate (Based on Ratings, Form, Trends & Tactical Shape)

Horse Odds

UP FOR PAROL 5/2
BETHPAGE 3/1
LIHYAN 4/1
WEST TO THE BRIDGE 11/2
IMPERIAL MERLIN 8/1
JAYTEE 12/1



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6. Summary

A weakly run contest over an extended staying trip is forecast, which could hand the tactical edge to West To The Bridge, but he may lack the finishing kick of the principals. Up For Parol brings the strongest recent form and shapes like he’ll relish the extra distance. Bethpage is on a steep upward curve and shouldn’t be far away if the gallop isn’t too steady. Lihyan is not discounted but may face a pace-related challenge. Jaytee is the unknown, returning from a long absence but with a good strike-rate when last seen.

Market support for returning runners or second-time handicappers should be monitored closely.