Royal Countess
- J: Rhys Elliott
- T: R. Mike Smith
- F:
- Age
- 9
- Weight
- 9st 4lbs
- Or
- 45
3-time C&D winner. Thirteen runs since last win in 2023 but ran as well as could be expected after 10 months off (though has a good record fresh) when 28/1, fifth of 8 in handicap at this C&D (good) 66 days ago. Remains to be seen if she can back that up.
Zebra Star (Ire)
- J: Amie Waugh
- T: R. Mike Smith
- F:
- Age
- 5
- Weight
- 9st 4lbs
- Or
- 45
Course winner backed up previous effort when creditable third of 8 in handicap at Hamilton (9.2f, good, 11/1) 18 days ago, despite not getting the best of trips. Should give another good account.
Wait And Hope
- J: James Sullivan
- T: Ruth Carr
- F:
- Age
- 4
- Weight
- 9st 11lbs
- Or
- 52
Latest win at Redcar in May but again below form when 28/1, sixth of 9 in handicap at Doncaster (10.2f, firm) 9 days ago. Could be more competitive with cheekpieces on for first time for this yard.
Straya (Ire)
- J: Joanna Mason
- T: Katie Scott
- F:
- Age
- 4
- Weight
- 9st 10lbs
- Or
- 51
Remains a maiden after 18 Flat runs but has fallen to a handy mark. Below form when 14/1, eighth of 11 in handicap at Hamilton (11.1f, good) 18 days ago. Needs to bounce back.
Millbuie
- J: Rowan Scott
- T: Ewan Whillans
- F:
- Age
- 4
- Weight
- 9st 4lbs
- Or
- 45
Ran to a similar level as previously when visored for first time, fourth of 8 in handicap (25/1) at Hamilton (9.2f, good) 18 days ago. Improvement needed.
Toronto Raptor (Fr)
- J: Billy Garritty
- T: Liam Bailey
- F:
- Age
- 4
- Weight
- 9st 12lbs
- Or
- 53
Followed a good run with a below-par one when tenth of 11 in handicap (28/1) at Hamilton (11.1f, good) 18 days ago. Tongue strap on first time but others more persuasive.
- Age
- 4
- Weight
- 9st 5lbs
- Or
- 46
Hit and miss performer but did run his best race for a while when second of 10 in handicap at Beverley (9.9f, good to firm, 14/1) 19 days ago. Every chance if in the same form here with Billy Loughnane a positive jockey booking.
- Age
- 3
- Weight
- 9st 4lbs
- Or
- 55
Has put together back-to-back runner-up finishes, latest in a handicap at Carlisle (9f, soft) 38 days ago, doing all he could. Travelled best that day and while he needs to prove his stamina over thus longer trip, he's one to consider in a modest contest.
Falaise Blanc (Fr)
- J: William Pyle
- T: Katie Scott
- F:
- Age
- 3
- Weight
- 8st 12lbs
- Or
- 49
Again showed little when 33/1, twelfth of 13 in handicap at Hamilton (8.3f, good to firm) 25 days ago. Up in trip with plenty to prove.
- Age
- 3
- Weight
- 9st 1lbs
- Or
- 52
Lightly-raced maiden fared no better switched to a handicap when 66/1, last of 13 in handicap at Hamilton (8.3f, good to firm) 25 days ago. Up in trip but needs more.
Uncle Liam (Ire)
- J: Lauren Young
- T: Jim Goldie
- F:
- Age
- 3
- Weight
- 8st 8lbs
- Or
- 45
Looked in need of more time on first run since leaving Iain Jardine when sixth of 7 in maiden at Hamilton (11.1f, good to firm, 150/1) 25 days ago. Hooded for first time on handicap debut but one for the longer term.
- Age
- 3
- Weight
- 8st 10lbs
- Or
- 47
Again made little impact when 33/1, tenth of 13 in handicap at Hamilton (8.3f, good to firm) 25 days ago. Needs to raise his game in first-time cheekpieces over this longer trip.
Timeform Verdict 
DARING LEADER ran his best race for a while when runner-up at Beverley 19 days ago and if in similar form here, may get off the mark under Billy Loughnane. That Lucas Fella travelled best when second over 9f last time and while the extra furlong poses a question, he remains one of the more interesting types in here. Zebra Star has posted back-to-back creditable efforts and may prove best of the rest.
Betting Forecast
28/1 Royal Countess, 6/1 Zebra Star (Ire), 12/1 Wait And Hope, 10/1 Straya (Ire), 14/1 Millbuie, 28/1 Toronto Raptor (Fr), 3/1 Daring Leader (Ire), 4/1 That Lucas Fella (Ire), 22/1 Falaise Blanc (Fr), 40/1 Gaelic Gladiator (Ire), 22/1 Uncle Liam (Ire), 22/1 Transfuse (Ire)