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Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 3m 0.31s

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(6)

Roberto Escobarr²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Marco Ghiani| T: Ian Williams| OR: 92| D

16/1

One-time smart performer who won a pair of Group 3s in 2023. Creditable fourth under a big weight in a Newcastle handicap on New Year's Day last year but lost form completely thereafter, including all 5 starts for this yard.

Form: 06580-8

(3)

Assail¹⁰⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: D M Simcock| OR: 90

5/1

Progressive handicapper with wins on turf and all-weather last year. Finished seventh of 10 in handicap at Meydan (14/1) 100 days ago, looking rusty after a 5-month break. Could show much more now returning to Britain.

Form: 1/2411-7

(2)

Liari³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: K Shoemark| T: M L W Bell| OR: 88| BF

13/2

Fairly useful form in 3 starts for Jean-Claude Rouget at 3 yrs (at up to 11f). Similar standard as a hurdler for Paul Nicholls, placed 3 of 5 starts in handicaps in 2024/25. Mark looks on the high side starting out for new yard.

Form: 215/

(1)

Campaign Trail^t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 84| D

15/2

Won three times on the Flat before switching to hurdles where he made a winning debut in November. Eighth of 14 in handicap at Worcester (14/1) 12 days ago, weakening out of it, but there could be more to come from him on the level.

Form: 221161/

(5)

Artisan Dancer⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: C Johnston| OR: 82| D

11/2

Won handicap at Ripon last month and has been consistent over staying trips. Third of 11 in handicap over 18f at Chester (11/2) 9 days ago, making smooth headway and staying on well under a 3 lb penalty. Drop back in trip no issue and should be competitive again.

Form: 056-213

(4)

Sportingsilvermine⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: H Crouch| T: James Owen| OR: 81

11/10

Irish import who, like many before him, has benefited from joining the James Owen yard, making it 2-2 for new connections in pretty good style at Musselburgh (12.5f, good). Improved again when second at Chester last week, tanking through the race, and he looks ahead of his mark.

Form: 369-112

Forecasts

Sportingsilvermine (11/10), Assail (5/1), Artisan Dancer (11/2), Liari (13/2), Campaign Trail (15/2), Roberto Escobarr (16/1)

SPORTINGSILVERMINE has been a revelation since joining his current yard, winning twice in three starts and tanking through the race when a close second at Chester just nine days ago. He looks well ahead of his mark and is taken to continue his rapid improvement in this staying handicap. Artisan Dancer, who won at Ripon recently before finishing a creditable third at Chester, is feared most, ahead of Assail.