Dazzling Dan is a big price considering his good course form such as when fourth to Tinto giving the winner all of 15lbs last October on soft ground. He meets Tinto on much better terms today following Tinto’s win at Newmarket two weeks ago. Dazzling Dan ran in the same race as Tinto at Newmarket but was not fit enough to do himself justice but will be for today’s assignment. Last year as a three-year-old Dazzling Dan was a close third giving weight around to Pass The Vino on fast ground. He returned to Newmarket in August and duly won a particularly good handicap beating Oxted. The runner up Oxted won a Group 3 race this season. Dazzling Dan can improve again this season and has Martin Harley booked to ride who rode the 2016 winner of this race Outback Traveller so knows what is required.

Arecibo is ridden by stable jockey Danny Tudhope instead of Summerghand but it must have been a very hard decision. Arecibo ran a nice comeback race at Group 3 level behind Far Above. He has a high cruising speed which he showed last season when chasing home Dakota Gold here at Listed level over five furlongs on soft ground. He has his quirks which is why he runs in headgear (visor) but consistently ran well in big field handicaps throughout last season such as when fourth to Oxted in the Portland handicap. He is drawn lowish in stall 7 but as a hold up horse will be slotted in behind the main group. Some luck in running will be necessary but the stiff finish will help bring the leaders back into the pack so long as they go hard up front.