Stephen And Alan Mulley Apprentice Handicap Stakes

Optician was fifth last time out, and a winner two starts back, and he has raced over today's trip and going before. A pulled-up effort further back is the blot on the sheet, but the recent form still marks him among the leading threats.

Harswell Ruby was fourth last time out, and a second two starts back, in a fairly steady sequence, and she has raced over today's trip and going before. Without a win in that run, the form still reads consistent enough for this midfield grade.

Flying Fletcher was seventh last time out, and a third two starts back, and he has raced over today's trip and going before. The yard is out of form (a 5% strike rate lately), but the placed effort keeps him among the dangers.

Kisiyra was seventh last time out and hasn't threatened a placed finish in her last four starts, though she does have experience over today's trip. A 55-day absence and a modest speed figure add to the questions surrounding this outsider.

Diderot tops our figures here despite modest recent form, with nothing better than fifth in his last six starts and a refusal among them, though he has raced over today's trip and going before. That gap between his form and our rating marks him the chief threat on paper.