CLOUDS HILL is open to further improvement, following a first career success in handicap company at Yarmouth last month. That was the Charlie Johnston-trained runner’s second attempt in a handicap. He made all that day and appears perfect for a repeat performance, at this speed-favoured track, despite a wider draw than ideal. With that in mind, we are possibly receiving a greater price than if drawn lower.

ICE MAX appears overpriced, as a winner in this grade (albeit a modest race for that class). The Dark Angel gelding scored in that race at Goodwood, which bodes well for a tilt at this downhill course, and a subsequent 5th of six at that southern venue last August can be forgiven (badly hampered). The front two in the market are clear on official ratings, but they need to prove themselves after lengthy absences, so the selection may be able to run into a placing at big odds.

A PIECE OF HEAVEN is an obvious contender, in this prestigious staying handicap, run over an extended 2m2f distance. The consistent Joseph O’Brien-trained eight–year-old finished 2nd in the Irish Cesarewitch, and was third in Group Three company in 2024. His lightly-raced nature means he could be well treated from a handicap mark of 101, having had just five runs in handicaps.

Course winner, MIRACULOUS, looks primed to run a big race second-time-out, returning to this well-suited venue. His victory at Chester last season came from a 1lb higher mark, and he is expected to take a step forward from a 6th at Catterick last month.

KINGSTONIAN is a thoroughly unexposed handicapper, hailing from a powerful Irish stable. The Joseph O’Brien-trained Study Of Man gelding is a 1m4f good ground maiden winner, who ran a fine 3rd on first handicap outing; he was beaten by a subsequent Grade One Hurdle scorer. The rise in distance appears a wise move, as a half-brother to a 2m3f hurdle winner, and he could attempt to make all of the running from a good low draw.  

I’m convinced SIOUXFONIC is a well-handicapped horse. The Wolverhampton maiden winner was a disappointing handicap debut 9th, but he can be excused one poor run, and he could find dramatic improvement in first-time cheekpieces. If you go back to that maiden success, he beat a now-rated 87 horse, and he was giving that rival 4lb. Based on that race, his current handicap mark of 80 could easily be exploited here, with his jockey already racking up two wins this month.