Dark Horse Chardonnay Handicap

Unplaced all seven starts, the last three times in handicaps for new stable this spring; drops back to middle-distance trip after struggling over 1m6f last month; of interest only if lively in the betting.

A maiden after eight starts but ran game race from the front when third on last month's seasonal debut at Bath (1m2f, good) and has obvious claims if in similar form again.

Made all in Lingfield classified (1m2f, good to firm) last month and lost out only by a nose in same grade at Bath (1m, firm) a week later; still 2lb lower than when close second in C&D (good to firm) handicap in May; leading contender.

Reportedly benefited from return to a left-handed track when rewarding market support at Southwell (1m, AW) in December but all three AW runs this year have been disappointing and it's curious to see him back on a right-handed track for this turf return.

Didn't fire in refitted cheekpieces (now discarded) at Nottingham last month and is not very reliable but has claims here if judged on his second to a very progressive rival at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) two runs ago.