Coral Chesterfield Cup Handicap

Usually front-runner these days; three handicap wins last year before he narrowly took a Listed race at Newmarket in November, all about 1m2f on soft or good to soft; fair fourth at Chester on return, before 1m4f on soft was seemingly too much for him here; not dismissed if it's rained.

Peak display last year for William Haggas was over 2m; close to it when third of 18 at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) last month; the John Smith's Cup at York 17 days ago did not pan out ideally for him and he was not at all disgraced in eighth, but there's a lingering doubt whether 1m2f is ideal.

Four wins last year; another at Chester (1m2f, good) 18 days ago and he did it in good style from the front, but he's been handed an 8lb rise and front-running should be more difficult with this draw and opposition.

Won a five-runner handicap here in 2022 but well held in three Listed races since on his only other attempts at this track; had a mixed record last season and below form this term, with these blinkers replacing cheekpieces last time, but he won an AW race last December off this mark.

Triple Group 3 winner at 1m (good and soft) on the continent in 2022 and 2023; mixed over the last 12 months, with a much closer finish again last time but that was when finishing just seventh of eight; well handicapped judged on Meydan placed efforts at 1m1f and 1m4f early this year.