Monty Bennetts 18th Birthday Handicap Stakes

Annexation showed his best recent form when runner-up two starts back, and having run over today's trip and going, he arrives here on a competitive mark and retains strong claims as the top-rated runner in a field of six, albeit yet to win in his last six starts.

A winner last time out is the one flag worth raising for It's Life, though four starts either side of that success read 11 days ago show a patchy profile, and she ranks fifth of six on our figures — hard to fancy at these weights.

Winless in her last four starts, with the highlight a third last time out, West Hill Rosie faces a stiff task as the bottom-rated runner here; 45 days off and 131 lb are further negatives, though she does have experience over today's trip and going.

Buckland Belle arrives on the back of a win last time out, with a second two starts back and strong recent form that marks her out as a genuine threat here; carrying 130 lb from stall two is the weight to overcome.

Port Darwin won three starts back and has experience of both today's trip and going, while 25 days since his last run suggests he arrives fresh at a handy 130 lb; the concern is two consecutive fifth-placed finishes since that win.