Encore Lifestyle Northern Dancer Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

1-5 for Richard Hannon and now 1-4 for current yard after prevailing in good style at Newcastle (1m4f, AW debut) four weeks ago; seemed to act on a range on ground on turf before that but that AW run was a significant advance and he's now gone back up 7lb.

Handicapper had his measure in the closing stages of 2024 Flat campaign for Michael Bell; he did pretty well over hurdles for new yard (last seen ten weeks ago) and sole win in that sphere was on soft, but needs to show something new to win a race of this nature.

Six AW wins during December-March, the second of which was over 1m4f and the last over 8.6f; hampered back on turf one month ago but well beaten behind Dream Harder last Saturday and 6lb out of the handicap today.

Completed hat-trick in Newmarket handicap (1m4f, good) last May, the first two legs having come on heavy ground; eighth of 23 in the November Handicap at Doncaster (1m4f, soft) was a lot more like it again; absent since (gelded) and a career best is needed to win this but he can go well fresh.

Lightly raced 4yo who goes well in the mud and has run well in all three of his handicaps, including when fifth of 23 in the November Handicap at Doncaster (1m4f; favourite) and an encouraging fourth of 11 at Goodwood (1m2f, good) five weeks ago; needs a bit extra and cheekpieces are enlisted.