JenningsBet Northumberland Plate Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Back on UK soil after a Group 2 campaign, he shaped creditably in defeat last time despite the bare result; effective at this trip on a sound surface and landed a handicap at Ripon off a 5lb lower mark penultimate start — a useful stayer who carries respect at 138lb.

Formerly Group 1 placed on the Flat, this veteran returns from a break after a below-par novice hurdle outing last time; well suited by 2m-2m4f and a cut in the ground, with a top jockey aboard — though he is no longer performing at his earlier level in this code and his trainer is out of form.

A drop in trip at Sandown last time left him outpaced and well held; this step back up in distance should suit better as he is effective at 12-14f on a sound surface, but he has failed to reach his best this season and the trainer's recent stats are cold.

First-time cheekpieces for a gelding who struck at Kempton off a 5lb lower mark three starts back and remains effective at this trip on any surface; the most recent run — beaten 10 lengths — was below his best, but he arrives 1lb lower and has won off a higher mark before.

Last year's winner of this race, he returns after a solid Listed effort abroad — beaten just 3 lengths — and is clearly suited to this trip on any going; top-rated on our figures at 111, though he takes on this contest 6lb higher than when he landed it a year ago.