It’s the opening day of the prestigious St Leger festival. MARCH AHEAD offers sound each-way appeal in the opener, which is a two-year-old handicap over the extended 6f. The Dream Ahead filly has been allotted an opening handicap mark of 75, following a neck success over the reopposing Gwen John at Carlisle.

The stiff finish there ought to mean she is likely to appreciate the rise in distance here, and she is weighted to confirm that winning form, yet is almost double the price of Gwen John.

JEL PEPPER holds strong claims to overcome likely favourite, Brussels, in receipt of 10lb. The two-year-old has shown distinct promise in all three starts, including third in a Group Two at Newmarket.

The winner of that race has subsequently boosted the form by landing another Group Two prize at Goodwood. Jel Pepper was hindered by a poor draw in Ireland last time, so it was impressive to finish as close to the winner as he did, and I’m expecting a huge run.

I’m banking on Cracksman filly, MOON TARGET, taking the rise up in class in her stride. She has impressed me in all three runs – notably her fine runner-up position in a Goodwood Group Three over 7f.

Her late running-on style was evident there, and she is likely to have too much finishing kick for her rivals. I’d be surprised if we've seen anything like her best yet.

I was tempted to put up Consent, who is an improving type, but she is tackling this journey for the first time. She holds obvious claims on form, though. I’ve selected FLORESTA as an interesting runner at an each-way price, instead.

The daughter of Waldgeist has taken time to reach her best but has found considerable improvement tackling staying trips. She put in a career best, by some way, to emphatically win a Listed contest over 1m6f at Leopardstown last time. If she repeats that performance, I would give her serious claims for a placing.

CASTLE STUART is one of a whole bunch of potential winners, in this tricky 1m2f handicap. The Richard Fahey-trained colt was a dual scorer before switching to this stable. He performed with credit, when registering a fine third on stable debut at York.

Powering down the stands’ rail, he would have probably won in another stride, and must be a strong contender at this course – suited to those who finish well down the long home straight.

I think CROWN OF LIGHT should prove hard to keep out of the placings. The Earthlight youngster won a Salisbury  novice event before being firmly put in his place by Five Ways at the same venue, subsequently – who followed up with a Group Three success.

A handicap mark of 86 may be lenient, judged on that, and he should hold genuine credentials, for a trainer who has been among the winners in the past fortnight.

I firmly believe CREST OF FIRE has been crying out for the rise to a mile, following solid efforts over shorter trips. He kept on nicely behind a few nice types at Ascot on penultimate outing – finishing behind Laureate Crown – but is weighted to reverse form here.

I hope and expect him to appreciate the long home straight, which may see him finish in the placings. Royal Bodyguard is the other I liked in the race, having shown improvement since switching to a mile.

EXPLODE holds obvious appeal after scoring impressively at Salisbury. That success came in novice company, following a string of consistent placings. He is a half-brother to a winner over this distance and his dam was a Group placer, which leads me to believe this rise in trip ought to be within reach.

I think he can exploit his opening handicap mark of 85 at the first time of asking, for notable connections.