NAANA’S SHADOW is the bet for this fiendishly-difficult sprint handicap. The Katie Scott-trained Havana Grey filly has shown plenty of early dash this term, including when making all of the running at Catterick. A subsequent 3rd in a strong York race earmarked her as a progressive type, who may appreciate this downhill track. Oisin Murphy is also an eye-catching jockey booking.

Although DANDYMAN DAN is likely to have to be played late - as one who is stepping up in distance - after a keeping-on effort over 5f at Sandown, he is certainly an interesting contender. There looks to be plenty of pace on, with numerous front-running contenders, which ought to suit the selection, who is a half-brother to a 7f winner. Expect him to arrive late on the scene.

Last year’s winner, PERSICA, offers obvious appeal, following a satisfactory comeback 4th at Newmarket. The Richard Hannon-trained five-year-old has a touch of class on his day and is unbeaten at this venue (2-2). He is versatile ground-wise, and can be relied on if the race turns tactical - having won from the front and rear in the past. Despite there being a couple of unexposed types, I consider the selection capable of delivering a strong run.

I believe that four-time winner, AULD TOON LOON, holds genuine each-way claims at double-figure odds, for trainer Tom Dascombe. The Belardo gelding is a downhill scorer, having won at Chester, and he can be excused from his 8th–placed finish on one ultimate outing, when denied a clear run. With a clearer passage, I feel he has better credentials than his odds suggest, especially with any further rain.  

I’m hopeful that A LA PROCHAINE can run a big race. The inexperienced Wathnan-owned Lope De Vega filly comes into this huge test after a debut win, followed by an encouraging runner-up position, behind Amelia Earhart at Chester. She broke a touch slow that day, but finished her race off well, suggesting that the extra distance ought to help. With that downhill track run under her belt, I’m optimistic that she can deliver a personal best here, and in my opinion should be much closer to the aforementioned Aidan O’Brien runner, in the betting.

Despite being well found in the market, STEM holds leading credentials, following a promising seasonal debut at Newbury. Despite finishing 9th, the Calyx gelding was beaten less than four lengths, in a strong race, which is working out extremely well. He is unexposed, after only running in three handicaps, offering the hope of improvement, and I believe he can run a solid each-way performance.

GREEK MYTHOLOGY has shown plenty of ability in a trio of starts - including when 3rd in this grade at Naas. The son of Pinatubo has plenty of upside, as a thoroughly unexposed individual, and has scope for progress around this track. Interestingly, his sire scored at this venue in 2019. It wouldn’t surprise me if he were to be able to fight out the finish, for his powerful Irish trainer.

DANCE IN THE STORM can back-up an impressive Chester handicap success last time. The Andrew Balding-trained filly looked a real horse to follow that day, finishing her race off strongly, under a brilliant Oisin Murphy ride. If the gaps appear at the right times, I’m confident she will be finishing fastest of all, to continue her upward trajectory.