TimeformBlog

Able Master was a smart six- and seven-furlong performer for Bryan Smart in 2009 but has been in decline since and was well beaten in a handicap at Doncaster on his reappearance last month.

Cloudy Start progressed well at three years for Henry Cecil, winning twice at up to a mile. He hasn't made much impact in handicaps more recently, but this represents a drop in class and it's dangerous to write him off.

Emerald Wilderness is a free-going sort who is effective on a range of surfaces. He was far from disgraced when denied a clear run in a good handicap on his return and has a good chance granted better luck in what looks an easier race.

Ezdeyaad improved to land four handicaps over seven furlongs and a mile last year when trained by Alan Swinbank. He took advantage of a falling mark when winning at Folkestone in May, but was disappointing last time and needs to bounce back.

Hurricane Spirit ended a losing run when bagging a handicap over a mile at Kempton in September 2009. He has had only a handful of starts since and offered little encouragement on his comeback here last month.

Layline was in fine form on polytrack earlier in the year, winning over a mile and a quarter here in February. He has been well below his best on turf the last twice, but the return to this surface may help.

Suited And Booted made good progress in 2010, winning a maiden at Windsor prior to picking up handicaps over seven furlongs and a mile at Newmarket. He hasn't been anywhere near his best in four starts this time round and has left Richard Hannon since last seen.

Uphold returned to his best when winning a mile-and-a-half handicap at Salisbury in June on his first start for this yard. He folded tamely after again making the running last time and is now back down to a trip he won over last year.

Vitznau is a useful performer on his day, but hasn't looked quite the force of old in four starts for his new yard in 2010 (formerly with Richard Hannon). He will at least find this trip more suitable than the six furlongs he tackled last time.

Wilfred Pickles won for the second time in three starts when holding on grimly over a mile here on the all-weather in March. His latest run on turf here was too bad to be true, but he has plenty to find at the weights.

Cloud Illusions improved when winning a handicap over a mile at Newmarket on her reappearance. She was out of her depth in a listed race last time and this isn't as tough, but others hold stronger claims on form.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Emerald Wilderness
2. Cloudy Start
3. Layline

Timeform View: With the likelihood of a strong pace this could go the way of Emerald Wilderness, who showed enough on his reappearance at Sandown to think he retains his ability. Cloudy Start can also play a part if returning to anything like his best form, while Layline may bounce back returned to the all-weather.

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