Betway Earl Of Sefton Stakes (Group 3)

Third in good-ground Sandown Classic Trial and second in Group 2 Dante at York (good to firm) last spring; finished last in the Derby but firmly back on track when landing a 1m2f Listed race at Deauville (good to soft) in August and signed off with Group 3 C&D win in October; carries 3lb penalty but holds a Group 1 Lockinge Stakes entry and he's the sort to kick on again this year.

Can lead and goes well here, as he showed again when defying top-weight in the Cambridgeshire handicap over C&D (good to firm) in September; left the impression the run was just needed and/or the trip stretched him when close fourth of five in Winter Derby at Lingfield (1m2f, AW) in February; a bold bid is very much on the cards.

No wins in nine Group/Listed races since landing the London Gold Cup at Newbury on his seasonal/handicap debut in 2024; frequently ran well, though, albeit with this trip looking a bare minimum when fifth of eight in York Group 3 in August on his penultimate start; can't be confidently ruled out but will need to resume in top order to make his Group-race breakthrough.

Had Ryan Moore on board when winning this race (good to soft) last year and produced another big effort for that rider when landing similar event at Epsom (good) in June; didn't match that form subsequently but has been gelded and no surprise if he goes well in the bid to retain his crown under Oisin Murphy this time; entered in Group 1 Lockinge Stakes.

Announced himself when winning Group 2 here (1m, soft) in September 2024 but 0-8 since and he's become a little tricky to place; had wind surgery in December, which might help, but he's at the bottom of the list on RPRs.