At The Races

The eyes are drawn to the two Stuart Crawford-trained inmates Ailie Rose and ISLAND MAHEE, who both ran well here on their most recent outings. Preference is for the latter, though, whose only career success to date came over this distance so stepping back up from 2m looks a positive. Placed on her last two outings at this track, Cancan is another who could get involved stepping up in trip.

• Top Tip: ISLAND MAHEE (1)
• Watch out for: AILIE ROSE (2)

Dr Richard Newland rarely wastes an opportunity when sending one up north and his gelding, REBEL LEADER, makes plenty of appeal here. Placed on his last two outings, the son of Milan has been finding his feet since joining new connections this season and now may be the time to strike, with conditions seemingly ideal. The well-handicapped More Buck's can give the selection most to think about, while Not The Chablis, who was narrowly denied here in May over further, also warrants respect.

• Top Tip: REBEL LEADER (5)
• Watch out for: MORE BUCK'S (2)

DRUMLEE WATAR very nearly made all for a fourth straight success at Bangor last month and running off the same mark here, he could take plenty of beating. Warren Greatrex's charge is a dour stayer and may have enough class to hold off course specialist Pammi, who was raised 2lb for a recent track-and-trip success. Grade 2 winner Clondaw Caitlin is another to consider off top-weight, although she's clearly had her problems.

• Top Tip: DRUMLEE WATAR (4)
• Watch out for: PAMMI (8)

A small but competitive field that includes AMALFI DOUG, who won this last year by seven and a half lengths off just 2lb lower and arrives here following a neck win over course and distance last time. He could follow up, though Go Another One has won both of his previous starts here (over hurdles) and travels over from Ireland looking to enhance those statistics. He can go well, as can Get Out The Gate, who was narrowly denied latest after two wins here in July.

• Top Tip: AMALFI DOUG (5)
• Watch out for: GO ANOTHER ONE (1)

Dalileo won here over this trip last time and needs considering, but preference is for GOA LIL, who takes a drop in class after his three-length second over further at Worcester at the start of the month. His trainer does well with his raiders here and he may prove too good for these, though Red Missile looks interesting on his first attempt at this trip after an easy maiden win over 2m here most recently.

• Top Tip: GOA LIL (1)
• Watch out for: DALILEO (3)

Ardera Cross hasn't been at his best recently, but any further rain will aid his cause and he has won here twice, albeit back in 2019. He won at Ayr off 14lb higher as recently as March and could surprise a few. Schmidt has his first start for Donald McCain and could improve for a change of scenery and a new regime, but SWORD OF FATE may get his own way at the front in this field and can make the most of a drop in class off 3lb lower than his latest start, when a solid fourth at Kelso.

• Top Tip: SWORD OF FATE (5)
• Watch out for: ARDERA CROSS (7)

JAUNTY SORIA continues to slide down the ratings and is beginning to look feasibly treated now, with the form of his fourth-placed effort off 3lb higher at Worcester when last seen in June working out well since. Zara's Universe shaped better than her finishing position suggests when finding 3m too far at this track last month, while any market support for First Illusion would make him of considerable interest.

• Top Tip: JAUNTY SORIA (5)
• Watch out for: ZARA'S UNIVERSE (9)

SILK OR SCARLET clearly benefited from the application of cheekpieces (worn today) when scoring over C&D in May and the nine-year-old is capable of backing that performance up off a 7lb higher mark. Misscarlett won over this trip at Uttoxeter in June and was last seen finishing second on the level at Newcastle in July. She commands respect, along with handicap debutant Celtic Tara.

• Top Tip: SILK OR SCARLET (6)
• Watch out for: MISSCARLETT (9)