Diplomat Hotel Handicap

Won two in a row over 1m (firm and good to firm) last summer; not in the same form in just three runs this year and although he ran well on soft as a 2yo he's an unknown quantity these days back from a break.

Sole handicap win over 1m on good ground but he has form on soft and heavy; signs of a revival two starts ago but he failed by a long chalk to confirm it on this track since; still capable of going well off his reduced mark if refitting cheekpieces helps.

Stays 1m2f on soft ground but this year's wins have come at 7f (AW) and in a C&D classified (soft), emphatically on the latter occasion in August; back up 5lb but that's not overfacing him; solid chance.

Heavy-ground winner over 7f on final 2yo start; conditions have mostly been difficult for her this year but her staying-on third of ten at Bath (1m, good to soft) 15 days ago was more promising; in the thick of it if adding cheekpieces has a good effect.

Off the mark when winning at Bath (1m, firm) in July but hasn't run to the same level since; heavy ground didn't seem totally unsuitable when a keeping-on sixth of 11 at Bath (1m) recently but more is needed for win purposes.