Aston Martin Handicap

Made great strides last summer, showing how far he'd come when a cosy Ascot winner (5f, good; has won on soft) in July; out of the blue he refused to race at Glorious Goodwood (favourite) when last seen later that month, when rider reported he was lethargic to post; set for a good season if that was a one-off.

Best form on good or quicker ground; bled from the nose when well behind Fair Wind at Ascot last July but that experience didn't bother him when a very good third of 16 at Glorious Goodwood (5f) shortly after, nor for a Windsor win (6f) next time; just 2lb higher here; considered.

Placed in 5f Group races as a 2yo, including over C&D (soft) but things didn't always go his way at different levels in 2024, mostly over 6f, and he could revive this year; cheekpieces fitted in first turf handicap.

Ex-John Ryan; both wins over 6f on AW; has struggled at the weights since taking a hit for an excellent Group 3 run at Ascot (good) in 2023 but he was back in form when runner-up in a good 6f race at Doncaster (soft) in October; back up 3lb but he's well worth a go at 5f; Ryan Moore is a rare booking now for new yard that won this in 2021.

Creditable reappearance on AW last week and likely to be straighter today; has done all his winning at Doncaster (5f) but he does have form elsewhere and in his favour that the ground has dried out again.