1. Race Conditions and Setup

Pace Forecast: Even pace predicted, with a contested but not excessive tempo.

Draw Bias: Low draws historically favoured over this straight mile.

Field Size: 9 runners – each-way terms apply (3 places, 1/5 odds).



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2. Runner-by-Runner Assessment

🥇 (2) SIGNCASTLE CITY (IRE) – J: A. Voikhansky (3) | T: R. Hannon

Draw: 2 | TF adj: 102

Profile: Compact gelding in excellent form (form: 2322); three wins last season and two seconds from four runs this year.

Recent Form: Just touched off at Chelmsford (0.75L) and Beverley (0.5L) in May.

Pace/Draw: Likely to track the leaders from stall 2; benefits from low draw.

Trainer/Jockey: Hannon going well; Voikhansky’s 3lb claim useful.

Fitness: Peaking – proven off 10 days’ rest.
Rating: 9/10


🌟 (4) BELIEVE THE STORM (IRE) – J: J. Doyle | T: C. Fellowes

Draw: 4 | TF adj: 96p

Profile: Lightly raced 4yo with upside; 2nd on seasonal debut behind progressive Brize Norton.

Recent Form: Backed and ran well in a deeper Kempton handicap.

Pace/Draw: Settles midpack; ideally drawn.

Trainer/Jockey: Doyle is a strong booking; Fellowes has a good 4yo record.

Fitness: Sharp after recent run off 5 months.
Rating: 8/10


🐴 (6) ROYAL VELVET – J: C. Fallon | T: W. Knight

Draw: 8 | TF adj: 99

Profile: Three wins this year including recent 2½L Newmarket win (strong time figure).

Recent Form: Clearly in the form of her life.

Pace/Draw: Might get caught wide early from stall 8.

Trainer/Jockey: In sync – Knight having a solid year, Fallon rides regularly.

Fitness: Active campaign – in peak condition.
Rating: 8/10


🟨 (9) MAN OF DESERT – J: S. De Sousa | T: C. Dwyer

Draw: 6 | TF adj: 101

Profile: Half-brother to Derby winner Desert Crown; ran a huge race at Yarmouth (200/1, 3rd).

Recent Form: Pulled too hard at York; better judged on Yarmouth run.

Pace/Draw: Might over-race again; still unexposed.

Trainer/Jockey: SDS a positive; Dwyer’s runners can pop up at big prices.

Fitness: Fit and should improve again.
Rating: 7/10


⚙️ (5) AL KHAWSSAA (IRE) – J: R. Dawson | T: R. Varian

Draw: 5 | TF adj: 95

Profile: Lightly raced; showed promise at Southwell in April.

Recent Form: Never in it last time but looked a bit better than the bare result.

Pace/Draw: Neutral draw, but needs to settle better.

Trainer/Jockey: Varian not firing but this one may yet step forward.

Fitness: Three runs this season; race-fit.
Rating: 6/10


🧊 (3) ATLANTIC GAMBLE – J: B. Wilkie (3) | T: W. Knight

Draw: 3 | TF adj: 97

Profile: Multiple wins in 2024 but gone completely off boil this term.

Recent Form: 3 duck eggs this spring.

Pace/Draw: Can race prominently if breaking cleanly.

Trainer/Jockey: Knight second runner here; Wilkie’s claim helps.

Fitness: Active campaign; regressive.
Rating: 4/10


🧪 (1) ROGUE ENCORE – J: D. Egan | T: P. Chapple-Hyam

Draw: 1 | TF adj: 98

Profile: Won twice last year but soundly beaten in 2025.

Recent Form: Needs to bounce back from three poor runs; has had wind op.

Pace/Draw: Gets plum draw in 1 if he’s still got ability.

Trainer/Jockey: Egan booked – interesting if there’s a market move.

Fitness: Plenty of racing – questions over form, not condition.
Rating: 4/10


🌧️ (7) WINTERCRACK – J: S. Kelly | T: P. Sly

Draw: 7 | TF adj: 99

Profile: All wins on heavy; no show on good ground latest.

Recent Form: Beaten 27L at Ripon; ground clearly against.

Pace/Draw: Front-runner with wrong ground and wrong draw.

Trainer/Jockey: Decent combo but all indicators negative today.

Fitness: Second-up; should come on.
Rating: 3/10


❄️ (6) UNASSUMING (FR) – J: B. Loughnane | T: G. Boughey

Draw: 6 | TF adj: 97

Profile: Dual Southwell scorer; best on AW; off since Feb.

Recent Form: Not seen for 119 days – might need the run.

Pace/Draw: Could sit mid-to-rear; better on sharper tracks.

Trainer/Jockey: Boughey/Loughnane combo reliable; market signals matter.

Fitness: Questionable.
Rating: 6/10



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3. Private Tissue (100% book)

Horse Odds

Signcastle City 3/1
Royal Velvet 7/2
Believe The Storm 4/1
Man of Desert 13/2
Al Khawssaa 10/1
Unassuming 12/1
Rogue Encore 20/1
Atlantic Gamble 25/1
Wintercrack 33/1



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4. Summary and Betting View

Most Likely Winner: SIGNCASTLE CITY – consistent, fit, good draw, and in-form yard.

Dangers: BELIEVE THE STORM (progressive, unexposed) and ROYAL VELVET (C&D winner, in form).

Each-Way Value: MAN OF DESERT – ignored in the market at Yarmouth, pedigree and performance say there’s more to come.