The only course winner in the field after a decisive debut victory at Ripon 35 days ago, Pure Mint is the market favourite at 3.25 and rated 2lbs clear at the top. The worry is genuine inexperience — just one race career, never encountered normal ground before — yet the Crisford yard's formidable record (57 wins from 358 races) suggests serious ability.
Only course winner (1 from 1 here)Never raced on normal groundLightly raced (1 career races)Market favourite (3.25)
Only two races but two wins — most recently at Ripon itself 16 days ago — putting her among the sharpest form in the field, yet she's never run on normal ground. Starting at 4.5, she's among the shortest odds, though the draw in stall 1 is a minor concern given the low draw's modest 12% historical win rate here.
Never raced on normal groundLightly raced (2 career races)
Won on debut at Yarmouth in May but has been away for 110 days — longest absence of any runner — and returned with a dreadful 23rd place at Ascot 73 days ago. Rated 5lbs above average, the form is deeply concerning and the extended lay-off suggests serious issues; at 6.8, she looks vulnerable despite her opening win.
Never raced on normal groundLightly raced (2 career races)Absent 110 days (longest in field)
Unbeaten after two races with wins at Sandown and Beverley, matching the perfection of Rogue Jewel, yet rated significantly lower at 84 and starting at 5.6 odds rather than 4.5. The crucial unknown is how she handles normal ground for the first time — both previous wins came on faster surfaces.
Never raced on normal groundLightly raced (2 career races)
Consistency is his calling card: three consecutive top-3 finishes including a win at Windsor last month, with just one defeat in his last six races. He's 11lbs lower-rated than Pure Mint and comes with a long break since Windsor, but the steady approach and proven ability to hit the frame regularly makes him a threat if he bounces back.
Just three races under his belt but already owns a 33% win rate — the highest among experienced runners — plus a placed finish, meaning he's hit the frame in two of three outings. The concern is a mammoth 95-day absence before this race and a disappointing 8th at Sandown last time, leaving significant questions about freshness and readiness.
Wearing cheekpiecesWon 1 of last 5Loves this ground (33% win rate)
TrackLab Insight
Rated just 3lbs below Pure Mint but the odds suggest the market disagrees — Clash Of Hearts has drifted from 1.03 to 16.0, a red flag after a 5th place at York 12 days ago. However, this colt has the best win rate in the field at one win from five races and boasts a strong record on good ground (1 win from 3), making him genuinely competitive despite the recent blip.
Top rated by 3lbsBest record on this ground (1 from 3)Best career win rate in field (1 in 5)
Won on debut at Musselburgh two months ago but has struggled since, finishing 4th, 4th, and 5th in her last three outings — a clear downward trend. At 11lbs below the field average rating and drifting to 36.0 in the odds, Bear Lee looks out of her depth in this company despite that early promise.
One of the more successful in the field (1 career wins)
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.