The market favourite despite having just one race to its name, Star Banner finished third on debut at Musselburgh 11 days ago — a promising enough introduction to suggest there is more to come. It is the least experienced horse in the field and, like most rivals here, has never raced on dry ground, so today is a step into the unknown. The editorial verdict tips this one to go one better, with that debut run seen as a solid foundation to build on.
Never raced on dry groundLightly raced (1 career races)Market favourite (2.88)
Only two races under its belt, with a third-place finish the best it has managed so far. Like most of this field, Kennington has never raced on dry ground, so that is another uncertainty to factor in. There is not much to go on here, and at 5.5 the market seems to expect more than the form currently shows.
Never raced on dry groundLightly raced (2 career races)
No wins from four races, but Perola has finished in the top three three times — including two runner-up spots — which makes it one of the more consistent horses in this field on paper. The concern is a 91-day absence, the longest of any runner here, and the horse has also had wind surgery since those encouraging runs. Whether it returns in the same form is the big question.
Like the favourite, Chasse Patate has just one race behind it — a third-place finish at Kempton 12 days ago, beaten two lengths. That debut placing puts it alongside Star Banner as one of only two horses in the field to have placed on their first outing, which is worth noting in a race full of unexposed types. The editorial verdict marks this one out as the second-best chance in the race.
Never raced on dry groundLightly raced (1 career races)
Two races, a fifth and a seventh, and no wins or places yet — Santiago Boy has little to recommend it on form alone. Like most of its rivals today, it has never raced on dry ground, adding another layer of uncertainty. The odds of 16 reflect a horse that has a lot to prove.
Never raced on dry groundLightly raced (2 career races)
Three races, three finishes towards the back of the field — fifth, fifth, and seventh — with no wins and no places to show for it. To make things trickier, Ocean Force has never raced on dry ground before, so today's conditions are an unknown quantity. At odds of 29, the market is not optimistic, and the form book gives little reason to argue.
Never raced on dry groundLightly raced (3 career races)
Finished eighth and last on its only race to date at Kempton 12 days ago, making this the rawest profile in the field. One run tells you very little, but there is nothing in the data yet to suggest a quick turnaround in form. At 36, the market has little faith, and honestly there is not enough evidence to push back on that.
Never raced on dry groundLightly raced (1 career races)
Three races and nothing to show for it — no wins, no places, and a slide in form from fourth to sixth in the latest run at Salisbury. Unusually for this field, The Bureau Club has already raced on dry ground, so today holds no surprises there, but the form trend is in the wrong direction. Running in a hood today, but the overall picture is one of a horse struggling to make its mark at this level.
How do odds work?The first number is what you win, the second is what you bet. So 5/2 means you win £5 for every £2. 4/1 means you win £4 for every £1. The bigger the first number, the less likely bookmakers think the horse will win — but the more you'd win if it does.