Motivator 20th Derby Anniversary Handicap

Two solid efforts in AW handicaps this year, midfield at Kempton before finishing best of the rest behind an emphatic winner at Southwell 12 days ago; needs a bit more to defy top weight in this field but he did shape well on fast turf as a 2yo.

Overcame his inexperience to win a 5f novice at Yarmouth last October (soft ground); it was almost certainly a hot Doncaster novice in which he finished fourth on his reappearance two weeks ago (6f, good to firm) and his opening mark looks manageable; yard can do little wrong and he's a leading contender.

Made a promising debut at Goodwood last June before easily landing the odds at Haydock one month later (6f, good); no progress afterwards but still ran to a useful level; others perhaps better treated in today's field.

Improved with each of his 2yo starts, getting off the mark in a 6f nursery at Kempton when last seen in October (hooded for the first time but still over raced); a 6lb rise looks quite stiff though and he'll need to have done well for a gelding operation over the winter; hood absent this time.

Dead-heated in a 6f Chelmsford maiden on his seasonal return (gelded after 2yo campaign); latest Newbury fourth (7f, good) doesn't suggest he's ahead of his mark though and he'll need to be in this field; returning to 6f and the fitting of headgear could help.