I’m hoping the forecast showers arrive in time to watch this handicap debutant, who has shown enough promise in three starts. The Sea The Moon gelding could improve significantly now entering handicaps from a mark of 71. He was a nose behind a now-rated 85 horse last time, indicating his potential. The rise in journey is likely to suit, too, along with this being the first start since being gelded.

SOMETHING SPLENDID was an agonising second for me at Sandown last time – I thought he got there on the line but was denied in a photo finish. The improved couple of runs lately has coincided with the rise to this distance. He is reunited with Billy Loughnane, who was aboard when successful two starts ago, which boosts my confidence. I’m expecting a big run. 

One at a huge each-way price who has caught the eye is BRIGHTON BOY. You can easily forgive his last run – it came on all-weather debut and he finished lame. A previous keeping-on fourth at Chester was a good performance. He’s unexposed at 7f and has cheekpieces back on today (he ran well in them previously). He could cause an upset and be involved for the placings.

I was cheering POCKLINGTON home last time and thought he was going to just get there on the line. He fell agonisingly short but remains a tremendously consistent and improving sprinter. If he repeats that fine third at York, he will surely go close once more, from just 1lb higher in the weights. The extra half-furlong could work out perfectly here, too. 

DOUBLE TIME may be able to follow up the big improvement, when bouncing back to winning form at Windsor last time. Soft ground certainly helped that day, so any rain would be a big aid, and he is still well treated on old form. He’s not guaranteed to back that good run up here, but at the prices if worth supporting to do so. 

I think this Group Three contest is wide-open. One who could potentially run far better than her odds suggest is STOP THE CAVALRY. Trainer Ralph Beckett is a master at training fillies to keep improving with age and this runner may be no exception. Twice a Listed placer, she has scope to impress on just her eighth outing, and would be more interesting if any rain falls. She ought to also appreciate the long home straight, having shown good form sole run over a mile. 

JER BATT is my win selection in this fiercely-competitive sprint handicap. The Dragon Pulse gelding is just 1lb higher than when last successful and has solid form here. He finished fourth and second in a pair of efforts at this track. The form of his seasonal opening third at Musselburgh could hardly have worked out any better – the winner scored in a Group One subsequently and the second won a Group Two at Goodwood. If he returns to that kind of form, I rate his chance as an excellent one.

I’d suggest keeping stakes minimal in the concluding race of the St Leger festival. This sprint handicap is devilishly-difficult, with a whole host of possible winners. HK FOURTEEN has the ability to play a hand in the finish, if able to repeat either of his last two runs – winning at Newmarket before a solid second at Newbury. First-time cheekpieces may eke out the desired improvement to see him get on top of his rivals, in what is likely to prove to be a blanket finish.