Chester

Four-time Group 1 winner who showed he's still capable of very smart form when going close to another in Australia in March. Didn't have the race run to suit back in the UK when 1¾ lengths third of 5 in Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury (13.3f, good to firm) 28 days ago. Sets the standard.

Ended 2025 with wide-margin win at Haydock (1½m) in July and better than ever when posting a smart effort to win another heritage handicap at York (16 ran, 1½m, good to soft) 3 weeks ago. The main danger to the favourite on that effort.

Capitalised on a career-low mark in first-time cheekpieces when taking 13-runner handicap at Epsom (1½m, soft) in June before comfortably following up with conditions again to suit in a 9-runner handicap over the same trip at Goodwood 2 weeks ago. Merits respect.

Third in this last season prior to winning a valuable handicap at York but might well be entitled to need this on his first start for 10 months.

Got back on the up in first-time blinkers when landing 6-runner handicap at Thirsk (1½m, good) last month but seemed caught out by a 5 lb rise in a better race at York 2 weeks later and this is much tougher again.

Won 1½m listed race for Joseph O'Brien at Limerick last June and was back to something like her best when 4½ lengths sixth of 7 to Botagoz in Hoppings Fillies' Stakes (66/1) at Newcastle (1¼m) 78 days ago. Limitations have been rather exposed at this level.