Verdict

This looks to be a good opportunity for Macaroni Gold to get his nose in front once again, with Vincent and George Stubbs the ones likely to get closest to him. There was no disgrace in the defeat of William Jarvis's three-year-old at Lingfield last time, and he will be more at home back on the fibresand that he clearly enjoys. Successful both over this trip and slightly shorter here last month, he is now 10lb higher than the first of those wins, and over what is probably his optimum if he can maintain his good form he may well still be good enough. Vincent is another to have won over course and distance and also here over 14 furlongs recently, beating Vanbrugh on both occasions. That level of form is not quite up to the standard of the selection and although we expect him to go well, a 7lb rise will probably mean that a place is his best bet. Of the remainder, top weight George Stubbs makes most appeal. Although never tried over such a long trip before, his breeding suggests that he may stay this far in this poor company, and as comfortably the best horse in the race he could also run into the money. For the selection though, we will go with Macaroni Gold.