Coral Rewards Shaker Handicap Stakes

Winless in his last five starts, Alpha Crucis nonetheless posted back-to-back second-place finishes earlier in this sequence and a rating of 97 underlines his strong claims from stall five; the worry is that three subsequent finishes of fifth, fifth and sixth suggest he may be just finding his level.

Consistent and classy in recent starts, El Matador has finished third or better in four of his last five outings and shaped with plenty of promise; he has run over today's distance and going and our rating puts him right in the mix — though 135 lb and a 37-day absence are the main questions.

Won two starts back but has been beaten into the mid-pack either side of it, and today's 134 lb burden doesn't help his cause; he has run over today's trip and going, though, and there's a small ratings edge to work with.

Rock Of Cashel landed a win two starts back but has been unplaced either side of it in recent starts; he has run over today's trip and going, and drops from stall one carrying 138 lb — a solid each-way profile on paper, though consistency remains the query.

Returned a winner two starts back and third last time out, so recent form gives him solid claims, but 50 days off and a hefty 136 lb to carry from stall 12 are the checks on his chance; has run over today's trip and going.