Win at Haydock in May has worked out well, but sandwiched by poor efforts, and has had wind surgery since fading tamely at Newcastle (2m) in June. Risky.
Stays well and completed a hat-trick when winning over 1m6f at Haydock last month. Disappointed at York last time having raced too freely, but expected to get back on track if settling better.
Showed a liking for very testing conditions when winning a 1m5f handicap at Ayr on heavy ground last month, and ridden too aggressively when below that form at Ascot last time. Not dismissed.
Winner over 1m6f at Carlisle (good/firm) in June. Placed over the same trip since, but ran a stinker over 2m at York last time, and connections reach for a visor now.
Winner at Wolverhampton last year for Michael Bell, and seemed to stay this trip when fourth at Haydock last September. Disappointed on debut for new yard at Beverley last month, but entitled to come on for that run.
Landed four races last year and down to his last winning mark. Generally running well in defeat of late, although a bit below his best when 6L fourth of 15 to Illustrissime at Catterick last time. More needed.
Has improved for stepping up in trip of late, winning two of his last three, and finding extra after making all at Salisbury last time. Just 3lb higher, and may have been underestimated.
Now 2lb lower than when runner-up at Goodwood (1m1f) in May, but he's not built on that, and just a respectable fifth of 14 to Epaulement in handicap at Redcar last time. tries a new trip now.
Non-Runners
6
(2)
Aldreth578
Weight: 9-2| Age: 7
T: M & D Easterby J: Josh Quinn
NR
Forecasts
Surya (11/4), Darksideoftarnside (10/3), Winds Of Fire (7/2), C'Est No Mour (13/2), Winston C (8/1), Legal History (9/1), Aldreth (14/1), The Grand Visir (25/1), Stone The Crows (28/1)
WINDS OF FIRE has only won a couple of small-field affairs, but impressed with how he battled on at Salisbury last time, and the handicapper may have underestimated him. Darksideoftarnside was better than the result under an overly-aggressive ride at Ascot, and is feared, with Surya another capable of bouncing back from a sub-par effort at York.