Churchill Tyres Handicap

Classy sprinter whose propensity to fluff the start has meant he hasn't won as often as his ability dictates; running at the Dante meeting for the fifth year in succession and his formfigures read 2124; those runs have been at 5f but he's fully effective over 6f, as when second over C&D last July and third in the Ayr Gold Cup; this year's AW runs not the ones to judge him on; likely to go well but slower ground would probably be ideal for him.

His last success came in a Listed event over C&D in September 2023; 0-10 last year but ran some mighty races, notably a third over C&D at the Ebor meeting when rated 5lb higher; looked a bit rusty on his Leicester reappearance last month but the run was better than the distance beaten might suggest; stable won this with a similarly doughty 8yo in Dakota Gold in 2022.

Made good progress last season, winning handicaps over C&D and twice at Ascot (5f and 6f); unplaced twice this year but looked to need the run at Southwell and then met plenty of trouble at Goodwood 12 days ago (saw little daylight between 2f out and 1f out as the race was unfolding); 1lb lower today and Oisin Murphy, who won on him at Ascot in October, takes over; still has something to prove on good to firm, albeit he had a bleak draw when well held at the Ebor meeting last year.

A gelding operation after last summer's Ebor meeting has seen him make good progress over the winter, winning three good 6f handicaps on AW, notably the big sprint on Good Friday; while his prominent racing style was an asset in that race, he did overcome stall 2 (the next five home were drawn 16, 10, 12, 13 and 11) and a 3lb rise is fair; promise over C&D in his youth and fast ground no problem; looks the likeliest leader and he'll take some pegging back; yard bids to win the race for the third time in succession.

Numerous fine efforts in top handicaps, runner-up in the 2023 Ayr Gold Cup and filling the same berth in last year's Victoria Cup and Great St Wilfrid; not sparkled in two 7f handicaps this season but he's dropped a handy 5lb and his rider claims a valuable 3lb too; better expected this time.