Verdict

Thatza Dazzler should come on for Chepstow debut when sent off market leader. Things may not have gone to plan that day and better can be expected here. Merrijig has produced a consistent sequence and commands respect with fitness assured, whereas Kankin returns to action after a 714-day absence. Only narrowly beaten here on debut back in December 2020, the market should reflect expectations surrounding the Hales gelding. BLUE FIN (NAP) has a first start since April when running prominently in an Irish point-to-point which has worked out well, with the winner that day then joining Lucinda Russell and obliging on his Rules debut recently. The selection is now with Donald McCain, for whom fitness is rarely an issue with runners back from a break and he should go well.

Formwatch

Blue Fin (IRE) 2-1 (11-11) Tr ldrs, 3rd 1/2way, hit 4out, cl 2nd bef 2out, rdn appr str to chall ldr, 1l dwn last, no ex cl hm & drpd to 3rd, 3rd of 16, 2 1/2l behind De Legislator (12-2) at Oldcastle 3m mdn sft in Apr.

Kankin 6-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, pressed inside final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Italian Spirit (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (5) sft in Dec.

Merrijig 7-2 (11-1) Keen close up, tracked leaders halfway, chased leader 4f out, ridden to lead briefly 3f out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Rolling River (11-1) at Hexham 2m (5) gs in Oct.

Station Hill (IRE) 150-1 (11-1) Held up in mid-division, took keen hold, no impression final 4f, 10th of 14, dist behind Roger Pol (11-1) at Worcester 2m (5) gd in Oct.

Sally's Girl 80-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden and outpaced at 3f, never a factor, 9th of 11, 24 1/4l behind Fancy Stuff (10-7) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Dec.

Thatza Dazzler 9-4fav (10-13) Slowly into stride in rear, pushed along to improve over 3f out, switched left over 2f out, ran on, 5th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Stans The Man (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.