Lloyd Land Rover Ripon Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Consistent since fitted with blinkers, right at the top of his game, only run down late at Lingfield (1m2f, good to soft) last time; a 3lb rise is effectively negated by Alec Voikhansky's claim, and he'll likely be untroubled by stepping back up in trip; contender.

No win since taking a Class 2 at Sandown (1m2f) in July 2023; kicked off 2025 with a pleasing AW effort at Newcastle (runner-up from 4lb higher) but unable to build positively on that since, only fifth in Redcar's Zetland Gold Cup (1m2f) latest; stamina questionable at 1m4f.

Dictated when off the mark on turf over C&D (Class 5, good to soft, from 5lb lower) on penultimate start, but found the competition too hot to handle in the Class 2 Northern Dancer at Epsom (1m4f, good; 33-1, beaten 35l) subsequently; this looks more suitable.

Four French wins (10.5f-1m4f); working back to form for David O'Meara, narrowly beaten at Hamilton (1m5f, good) a fortnight ago; sits only 1lb higher, so has every chance of having a major say providing that the ground (good is fine) doesn't continue to dry out.

Mixed fortunes since completing the hat-trick at Southwell (1m4f, from this mark) in February; fared better than at Wolverhampton previously with headgear removed at Chelmsford (13.5f AW, third of five) latest; is yet to win on turf (0-5) so others tick more boxes.