Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap Stakes (gbbplus Race)

Lord Melbourne has run over today's trip and going before and, carrying 142 lb off a mark of 96, arrives here 84 days since his last start with our rating putting him right in contention — though his recent string of out-of-the-money finishes means he remains yet to score in his last five starts.

High Degree arrives on the back of a win last time out and has prior experience of today's going, so conditions should hold no fears; the main risk is whether he can reproduce that form under a stiff 141 lb.

Too Soon brings strong recent form — a winner last time out and carrying just 140 lb with an official mark of 94 — and has experience of today's distance and going. The 84-day absence is the one factor to weigh up.

Tony Montana shaped with promise when second five starts back, and he has experience over today's trip and going, but he has been winless in recent starts and must bounce back from a modest run 32 days ago, with his rating of 105 marking him as the one to beat.

Rathgar won twice in his last six starts but has since slipped to unplaced last time out, and a ninth three starts back tempers expectations; he has run over today's trip and going, carries 139 lb, and our rating of 97 sits a touch above his official 93, ranking him fifth of nine.