Howcroft Group Handicap

Won 7f AW novice on final 2yo start; good return at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) when losing out to one who later won a big-field York handicap, in which this one failed to settle and faded (said to have suffered from post-race ataxia); should still have potential if fitting a hood helps.

Late foal who never ran as 2yo; broke out of the stalls and withdrawn on latest intended start but he showed signs of ability at 6f on latest start, finishing alongside a subsequent impressive novice winner, on Wolverhampton AW in May; bred to stay 7f; interesting on handicap debut.

Promising effort in a 7f novice at Thirsk last year that worked out well; respectable handicap efforts beyond that trip this year and getting more cover than at Chester last time out should help; this first handicap over a bare 7f may well suit.

Four quick 1m wins in the spring; non-stayer upped to 1m2f at Beverley six weeks ago although it wasn't certain he'd have won at 1m; needs to get back on the boil after a break in his first 7f handicap.

Never lived up to the high promise of a persevering third at Newmarket (6f, good) in August, to Shadow Of Light and one now on a mark in the 90s; left Brian Meehan for 20,000gns; quite promising yard debut on AW but a forward move never materialised under William Buick at Nottingham (extended 1m) in May; that was disappointing but the potential remains.