Border Minstrel Pub Apprentice Handicap Stakes

Winless in his last five starts and returning after 125 days off, It's A Love Thing faces a stiff task, though experience over today's trip and going offers some encouragement and he carries a manageable 135 lb from stall one.

Winless in his last five starts, Ravenscraig Castle nevertheless shapes as the one to beat on a rating of 62, has run over today's trip and going, and returns after 23 days carrying 135 lb from stall five.

Won two starts back but has finished sixth and seventh on either side of that success, making her a frustratingly inconsistent profile; she has run over today's distance and going before, and 17 days since her last start leaves her fit enough, though 133 lb is a significant burden.

Kameel arrives here fit on 24 days' rest, carrying 133 lb from stall 3, and our rating of 61 puts him second among the eight runners — a compelling case for a strong showing over a trip and going he has experience of; the concern is that he is yet to score in his last six starts, with a string of fourths and fifths dominating his recent profile.

Koko Blue has been a model of consistency, finishing third last time out and placing in four of her last five starts, and she has run over today's trip and going before; the concern is that she remains yet to win in recent starts, suggesting she may find one too good again.