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Off time: 18:30 | Winning time: 3m 26.34s

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(2)

Vettori Rules^t1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Jason Watson⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 86| CD

16/1

Dead-heated over C&D last month, but went up 3lb and was found wanting on his next two starts. Back down 1lb, but hard to know what to expect in a first-time tongue tie.

Form: 803-106

(3)

Havana Beat²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: George Downing| T: A W Carroll| OR: 81| D

14/1

Only two wins in 34 Flat races, but showed some promise over hurdles last summer. Not disgraced over 1m4f at Wolverhampton last time and handicap mark has dropped so could get involved over this longer trip.

Form: 9/7770-6

(1)

Bear Valley¹¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: J P Spencer| T: C J Mann| OR: 80

10/1

Decent form, including when placed at Royal Ascot, when trained by Mark Johnston last season although his form did tail off towards the end of the campaign. Starts out for a new trainer off a workable mark, but has stamina to prove.

Form: 378078-

(6)

Azam¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 73

5/1

Won a Kempton maiden for John Gosden in 2016, but is without a victory for current yard despite running well on several occasions. Has yet to prove he stays this far, but brings fair recent form into the race and has to be considered.

Form: 0067-54

(4)

Thahab Ifraj¹⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 68

5/2

Won a Stratford novices' hurdle when last seen in August, but is without a win in 11 Flat outings. Has shown reasonable form on the AW so this surface is not a worry, but his absence from the track is.

Form: 933/233-

(5)

Mambo Dancer¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 71| D

6/5

Has shown significant improvement since being stepped up to staying races and defied a weight rise to score at Wolverhampton last time. The only contender coming into this contest on an upward curve so definitely the one to beat off 5lb higher.

Form: 300-121

Forecasts

Mambo Dancer (6/5), Thahab Ifraj (5/2), Azam (5/1), Bear Valley (10/1), Havana Beat (14/1), Vettori Rules (16/1)

This looks good for MAMBO DANCER, who has won two of his three races since being stepped up in trip and should be able to defy another rise in the weights. If he fails to fire, Azam may be the one to profit, although cases can also be made for Bear Valley and Havana Beat. Vettori Rules looks to have plenty to do off top weight, while Thahab Ifraj has to defy a quite lengthy absence.