William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap

Has taken great strides since winning a seller last June, winning with authority on handicap debut at Newbury (7f, good to firm) on final 2yo start and he again had reserves when successful at Musselburgh (1m, good to soft) this month; up 4lb but he's anything but exposed; respected.

Bright start, winning at Pontefract (6f, good to firm) then had work cut out trying to give weight to a promising newcomer on AW; big prices and well beaten in two sales races when last seen in September; gelded since and now goes in cheekpieces on handicap debut; faces a tough return upped to 1m.

Hit the front in the nick of time when justifying support on his Kempton AW debut in September but he was easily outpointed by a promising type on Southwell reappearance (1m) last month, when much more use was made of him; interesting to see the tactics on turf debut but should do better.

Golden pedigree, dam had four Group 1 winners (at 1m up to 2m4f) among her siblings, including Friendly Soul for this yard; this one hasn't been as dynamic as the latter so far and his defeat of some newcomers and handicap prospects on Kempton AW (1m; made all) 17 days ago was hard to assess in merit terms; needs more now handicapping but that's quite possible.

Bred to stay further than 1m but was sharp enough to win 6f Newbury novice (good to firm) on debut; found wanting in two later runs but in Listed company first and soft ground may not have suited back at Newbury (1m); gelded since; this first handicap looks competitive.