A competitive Class 6 classified stakes over a mile sees a mix of exposed handicappers and a handful of progressive three-year-olds clash on good-to-firm ground, with recent Ripon winner Trucial Pearl setting the standard.

Michael and David Easterby’s filly finally broke her maiden at the 12th attempt when scoring over this trip at Ripon last month. That victory came on her first start over a mile and suggested she has found her optimum distance. Dropping into classified company after that success gives her a strong chance of following up, and she looks the most solid option in the field.

The chief threat may come from Park Lane Penny, who showed significant improvement when runner-up in a similar contest at Ayr 11 days ago. Still lightly raced after only four career starts, she travelled like an inexperienced horse before narrowly failing to reel in the winner. With further progress likely, she rates a major danger to the favourite.

Veteran Copper And Five brings some of the strongest recent form among the older runners. The ten-year-old has been placed twice at Beverley this spring and now drops into classified company for the first time. His consistency and proven effectiveness around this trip make him a leading contender if reproducing his best efforts.

Another experienced campaigner with claims is Langholm, a dual course-and-distance winner who gained a deserved success at Beverley last month before running respectably in a classified event at Ayr. His course form and ability to finish strongly should ensure he is competitive once again.

Of the bigger-priced runners, Regal Knight is an interesting each-way proposition. The three-year-old produced one of his best efforts when third at Beverley on his latest outing and remains open to more improvement than many of his rivals. If building on that performance, he could outrun his odds.

Verdict

Trucial Pearl looks the most likely winner after her breakthrough success at Ripon and appears well placed to make the most of her drop into classified company. Park Lane Penny is feared most as an unexposed improver, while Copper And Five and Langholm look the best of the older brigade.

Prediction:

1. Trucial Pearl
2. Park Lane Penny
3. Copper And Five
4. Langholm
5. Regal Knight

Best Bet: Trucial Pearl
Best Each-Way Value: Regal Knight
Danger: Park Lane Penny