CAA Stellar Handicap

Justified favouritism at Newmarket (5f, good) on seasonal debut, belatedly recording first success since joining his current yard; useful but he's no certainty to follow up from poor draw back up 5lb.

Registered a 1l win at Salisbury (5f, good to firm) on Sunday, taking record since rejoining James Owen to 2-2 and overall strike-rate for this stable to 5-7; those stats make him impossible to dismiss; incurs 5lb penalty in a stronger race but Christian Howarth takes off a handy 3lb.

Low-mileage 4yo who responded well to first-time cheekpieces at Pontefract (good to soft) most recently, taking record for shrewd new connections to 2-3 and strike-rate over 5f to 3-6; headgear is retained; has the worst of the draw but is otherwise a progressive contender.

Campaigned mostly over 6f, most recently winning big-field handicap (good to firm) for a bright end to his spell in Bahrain; this local runner is well drawn returned to British soil and has possibilities provided he's as effective back at 5f.

Chester specialist whose seven course wins include this race last year (off current mark under Oisin Murphy) and Listed event later in 2025; inconsistent elsewhere since but commands respect returned to the Roodee; favourably drawn.