Download The Raceday Ready App Handicap Stakes (Div I)

Heretic arrives in cracking form — a winner last time out, second two starts back, and third three starts back — and his experience over today's trip and going is a clear plus; the main risk is that 136 lb is a hefty burden from stall ten.

Dumfries has run over today's trip and going and comes here on a quick turnaround of just 14 days, suggesting he is in good order; our rating puts him ahead of his official mark, making him a genuine threat, though he remains winless in his last five starts and will need to find more.

Ranked second of ten on ratings with a speed figure of 70 backing his claims, Mereside Madness has run over today's distance and going before and carries a workable 135 lb from stall six; winless in his last five starts, however, and a trainer operating at just 5% over 14 days is the chief concern.

Captain Pickles has experience of today's trip and going, and showed smart form with a win five starts back and another six starts back, though back-to-back defeats in his last two runs — sixth and then eighth — are the obvious concern heading into this.

Winless in his last six starts, Lord Abama nevertheless rates as the one to beat on our figures, carrying 134 lb from stall seven over a trip and going he has experienced before; a fourth two starts back offers the most encouraging recent evidence, though his overall profile demands a degree of faith.