PDM Apprentice Handicap

C&D winner who has been performing better of late, going down by just a head and a neck when third of ten at Redcar (5f, good to firm) 15 days ago; 1lb rise for that still leaves him 9lb below his last winning mark and blinkers are given a go this time; respected.

Lost his unbeaten course record in reapplied cheekpieces when second of four over C&D (good to firm) 12 days ago, but he was the only one to make a race of it with a well-handicapped rival; high on list from the same mark with conditions likely to be ideal.

C&D winner last September (good to soft) and made a successful reappearance at Musselburgh (5f, good) last month, but only fifth of 13 off this mark at Catterick (5f, good to firm) three weeks later; may find one or two too good again; cheekpieces return.

Record over C&D reads 0111013235 and is 1lb lower than when winning at Beverley (5f, good to firm) last summer; finished behind Kyber Crystal at Catterick (5f, good to firm) last month, but he was returning from 209 days off so may fare better this time.

0-9, but was having only her second start for this yard when beaten 2l into fifth of 15 at Catterick (5f, good to firm) on Monday; shaped as though this stiffer track might suit and one for the shortlist.