Coral Challenge (Handicap)

Won three in a row at around 1m last August-October and reappeared with promising second at Newmarket (1m, good) in April; has had excuses for two defeats since, with 1m2f possibly too far at Longchamp then hampered when making headway at Newcastle last week; the Newmarket form is solid and he's respected despite a wide draw.

Classic placed in 2023; a close second in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good) on reappearance shows he's still smart but he was well beaten in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot (1m, good to firm) since.

Listed winner in Germany but no impact in two handicaps at around 7f since being trained in Britain; now steps back up to 1m minus the blinkers he wore at Royal Ascot last time; eased another 2lb but it doesn't look enough.

Had a barnstorming year in 2024 with five wins (including C&D) and he improved again when making the most of a good draw at the Chester May meeting (7.5f, good); has found life tougher from a triple-figure rating twice since but his good Sandown record makes him hard to discount.

No win since his 2yo days but was placed several times during a spell in Australia; returned to Britain with a good fifth of 22 in the Lincoln at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) in March but two lesser runs have followed.