Winless in its last five starts and returning after a 257-day absence, Room Service faces a stiff ask here. Blinkers go on for the first time, which may help offset a tendency to be too free beforehand, but with form that has tailed off and a possible preference for 7f, it's hard to make a strong case at this trip.
Form last 642875-
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
85SR—RPR105OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight of 9-12 with a modest Saturday Rating of 85 and inconsistent form reading 42875- limits Room Service's winning prospects.
Won the Victoria Cup here last time by a length, back at a course and distance that suits and comfortable on any going — but carrying a 6lb higher mark now tests whether that victory was a peak or a platform, and first-time cheekpieces add a small unknown at stall 29.
Form last 60/39-1
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
89SR—RPR104OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight of 9-11 with a Saturday Rating of only 89 and weak form figures of 0/39-1 limits confidence significantly.
Twice successful in recent starts and having won this race in 2024, English Oak returns after a 104-day absence with the form to be competitive, though a well-beaten effort at Group 3 level last time and a sixth most recently temper expectations at a similar mark.
Form last 620-116
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
88SR—RPR103OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight of 9-10 with a modest Saturday Rating of 88 and inconsistent form of 20-116 limits confidence.
Consistent performer who landed a handicap by four and a half lengths at Haydock two starts back off a 13lb lower mark, but faces a stiffer task off 103 after 232 days away and may need this seasonal reappearance to find full stride.
Form last 672214-
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
92SR—RPR103OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight of 9-10 with a modest Saturday Rating of 92 and inconsistent form reading 72214- limits Fondo Blanco's winning prospects.
Dropped back to handicap company after a thumping in a Group 3 at Epsom 12 days ago, Golden Mind returns to a more suitable level and has prior form at this venue over today's trip and conditions — first-time headgear and a mark of 103 could spark a revival, though that latest effort clouds the picture.
Form last 61-7248
★AI Rating★☆☆☆☆
85SR—RPR103OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight of 9-10 with a moderate Saturday Rating of 85 and poor recent form (1-7248) makes Golden Mind a weak selection.
Ran to form when fourth at Newmarket latest, and that consistent profile over seven to eight furlongs on a sound surface marks Elarak out as a genuine player here; the 48-day absence is the one factor to weigh up.
Form last 6761-44
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
88SR—RPR103OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight of 9-10 with inconsistent form of 761-44 and a modest Saturday Rating of 88 limits Elarak's winning prospects.
Royal Velvet arrives on the back of back-to-back wins, most recently taking a Lingfield Group 3 with something in hand, and a 3-length handicap success off a much lower mark at Newmarket before that — though she now faces a stiff rise in the weights from stall 24, 40 days after that latest effort.
Form last 6815-11
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
92SR—RPR102OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight of 9-9 with a modest Saturday Rating of 92 limits Royal Velvet's winning prospects despite recent back-to-back wins.
Vafortino holds Listed-class form and the handicapper has eased the mark, with a top jockey booked and today's trip and surface squarely in his wheelhouse — a fair third at York last time out, not disgraced beaten four lengths, suggests fitness is there after 35 days off, winless in his last five notwithstanding.
Form last 6-45078
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
80SR—RPR101OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight of 9-8 with a Saturday Rating of 80 and poor recent form of -45078 justifies a weak 2-star rating.
Ran to form when going down by a length here last time off a 2lb lower mark, and a solid C&D record keeps him competitive; winless in his last five starts and the step up to 133lb from stall 23 in first-time visor adds intrigue to a horse edging back towards his best.
Form last 640-032
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
85SR—RPR100OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight 9-7 with a Saturday Rating of 85 and patchy form 40-032 limits Great Acclaim's winning prospects.
Arctic Dawn won nicely 12 days ago off a mark 9lb lower than today's, and more improvement is needed to justify favouritism here — ranked 25 of 29 on our figures. First-time cheekpieces and proven course-and-distance form offer slim hope, but the step up in class looks demanding.
Form last 6185-31
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
89SR—RPR100OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight of 9-7 with a modest Saturday Rating of 89 and inconsistent form reading 185-31 limits Arctic Dawn's winning prospects.
Winless in its last four starts and absent for a full year, Blue Brother has a considerable amount to prove on comeback, and ranks last on our figures. The newly gelded gelding does have James Doyle in the saddle, and handles this trip and going, but that layoff is a serious hurdle to clear.
Form last 625/60-
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
79SR—RPR98OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Poor recent form (25/60-) combined with a high weight of 9-5 and a Saturday Rating of just 79 justify the 2-star assessment.
Apiarist shaped with promise when denied a clear run at Thirsk 47 days ago, still going strongly at the line and arguably unlucky beaten three lengths off this very mark — strong all-weather form beforehand adds substance, though the step up to this field from stall 18 carrying 131 lb are the checks.
Form last 6-41306
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
86SR—RPR98OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Apiarist's moderate Saturday Rating of 86, inconsistent form reading -41306, and burdensome 9-5 weight combine to justify a cautious 2-star assessment.
Proven over the trip and going, and a yard that landed this last year, The Lost King has the profile to run well — but pulled too hard and emptied over this trip at Newmarket 47 days ago, and that finishing tendency is the concern at 130lb.
Form last 6-12134
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
90SR—RPR97OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight of 9-4 with patchy recent form (-12134) and a modest Saturday Rating of 90 limits The Lost King's winning prospects.
Cosi Bello showed real tenacity squeezing home by a head off 2lb lower at Haydock last time, and travels well for this trip and conditions — but steps up in the weights from stall 26 after just 54 days, leaving some questions unanswered.
Form last 61124-1
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
90SR—RPR97OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight of 9-4 with a modest Saturday Rating of 90 and starting as a non-favourite limits Cosi Bello's winning prospects here.
Wore down rivals by half a length off a 6 lb lower mark at Chester two starts back, but last time out ran freely, faded late and drifted right off a true line, beaten six lengths off the same mark of 96 it faces today; first-time headgear may help settle, though that recent effort gives pause.
Form last 6230-15
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
85SR—RPR96OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight 9-3 with modest Saturday Rating 85 and inconsistent form 230-15 limits confidence here.
Ran well to score at Kempton 17 days before a flat last effort — beaten nine lengths racing far side in a class jump, off the same mark of 96 here. Best form comes with cut underfoot, and at 129 lb from stall 8, the profile is hard to get excited about.
Form last 6249-10
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
83SR—RPR96OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
A Saturday Rating of 83 and poor recent form (249-10) make 9-3 weight difficult to justify at these odds.
Bounced back well last time, going down by just 2 lengths off a mark 1lb lower here, but winless in its last five starts and the stable has stronger contenders in this. Acts on the going and trip, though 48 days off and 129lb are factors to weigh.
Form last 63-6602
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
80SR—RPR96OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight of 9-3 with uninspiring form of 3-6602 and a modest Saturday Rating of 80 limits Storm Star's winning prospects.
Landed a Epsom handicap by a neck last time, bouncing back to form on a reduced mark and trip, and arrives 13 days later with Moore booked and a rating that suggests he remains well treated — though softer ground would help him show his best.
Form last 64/9-01
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
83SR—RPR96OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight 9-3 with a Saturday Rating of 83 and inconsistent form 4/9-01 limits Colombier's winning prospects.
Ran well to score at Thirsk three starts back, but the two subsequent efforts have been laboured, including a well-beaten eleventh last time from a virtually identical mark — that official rating of 95 looks stretched, and two unplaced runs in recent starts are hard to ignore despite proven course-and-distance form.
Form last 69-3100
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
85SR—RPR95OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying 9-2 weight with a Saturday Rating of 85 and poor recent form (9-3100) limits Mirsky's winning chances significantly.
Winless in its last five starts, Pellitory at least has course, distance and going form in its favour, but consistency has been an issue and it must improve sharply on a below-par comeback effort 40 days ago — form figures are patchy enough to demand more.
Form last 68550-0
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
77SR—RPR95OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Pellitory's poor form of 8550-0 and low Saturday Rating of 77 under 9-2 weight justify just 2 stars.
River King arrives here in fair nick — winning at Newbury 17 days ago off a mark 8lb lower than today's — but ranked 24 of 29 on our figures, this looks a sharp test at the top of the handicap, however the yard's strong record in this race offers a slim crumb of comfort.
Form last 6231-21
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
89SR—RPR95OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight of 9-2 with a modest Saturday Rating of 89 limits River King's winning prospects despite solid recent form.
Beaten six lengths at Meydan last time and absent for 97 days, The Fingal Raven faces a stiff task off a mark of 95 — which looks stretched on current form — though effective at this trip on a sound surface and wearing a tongue-tie for the first time.
Form last 66-4155
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
83SR—RPR95OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying top weight of 9-2 with a modest Saturday Rating of 83 and uninspiring form figures of 6-4155 justify a cautious 2-star assessment.
Stratusnine has proven course-and-distance ability and, winless in its last five starts, showed a return to form when narrowly denied at York last time off a lower mark — a stiffer test today could unlock more. Inconsistency remains the concern.
Form last 6-U52P2
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
80SR—RPR95OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Carrying 9-2 weight with a Saturday Rating of 80 and uninspiring form showing -U52P2 limits confidence here.
Rock Of Cashel bounced back to land a handicap by 2½ lengths at Ovrevoll 21 days ago, but that win came in Norway after form had deteriorated badly in Dubai, and this mark looks stiff — ranked near the foot of the field on our figures.
Form last 66-0001
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
77SR—RPR95OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Rated just 77 with uninspiring form of 6-0001 and carrying 9-2 weight limits its winning prospects significantly.
Hickory has solid course form to lean on and handles this trip and ground well, with a significant jockey booking adding confidence that a bounce-back is on the cards after a below-par effort at Sandown 21 days ago — first-time cheekpieces could sharpen the focus, though returning to form is the key question.
Form last 6212-06
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
85SR—RPR95OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Moderate Saturday Rating of 85, inconsistent form (212-06), and a burdensome 9-2 weight limit the appeal.
So Darn Hot is winless in its last five starts and needs to find more after fading tamely back up in trip on its turf reappearance 40 days ago; first-time cheekpieces from stall 7 off 127lb could spark a response, though, and course-distance-going form offers some encouragement.
Form last 635-067
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
77SR—RPR94OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Rated just 77 with poor form figures of 35-067 and carrying 9-1 weight, So Darn Hot shows little winning case.
Tumbled down the field on turf return at Newmarket 46 days ago, and first-time headgear can't hide a mark that looks too demanding; at his best over 12-16f on the AW this winter, today's conditions and trip represent an insufficient test for a horse ranked 23rd of 29.
Form last 6441609
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
82SR—RPR94OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Low Saturday Rating of 82, poor form showing a sixth and ninth, and a 9-1 weight burden undermine confidence.
Narrowly denied on latest start when beaten 2l off a mark of 93, and now just 1lb higher — Mezcala remains attractively weighted having won by 2½l off a 9lb lower mark two starts back, and there's a sense more is to come given how comfortably it has been travelling of late.
Form last 6127-13
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
89SR—RPR94OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Mezcala's modest Saturday Rating of 89 and inconsistent form (127-13) under top weight of 9-1 limits confidence.
Beaten four lengths off a 1lb higher mark last time out, Nizam has shown useful form and handles a range of conditions, but three poor efforts in his last four runs and a trainer firing at just 4% suggest he needs considerably more to threaten here from stall 11.
Form last 6156-07
★AI Rating★★☆☆☆
77SR—RPR94OR—Votes
✦AI verdict
Poor recent form (156-07) and a high weight of 9-1 stones undermine Nizam's weak Saturday Rating of 77.
Prices update each odds sync. Green ▼ = shortened (steamer),
Red ▲ = drifted, Blue = = unchanged since last sync.
Best column highlights the bookmaker offering the longest price.
Cosi Bello owns one of the strongest chamber scores in this field. The Balanced lens likes the blend of SR strength (50) and market confidence (66). The profile stays composed even after the chamber introduces race-day variance.
15/2Charlie FellowesPaddy Bradley
67%Confidence
⚠ Danger Runner
The Wizard Of Eye
Nearest rival if the simulation drifts off the primary path.
12/1 · Tom Clover✓ Value Signal
Defence Minister
Strongest upside if you want a less obvious route through the field.
22/1 · Hamad Al Jehani◈ Chamber Memory
Balanced
Even weighting across form, market confidence and race-day volatility.
Apiarist's moderate Saturday Rating of 86, inconsistent form reading -41306, and burdensome 9-5 weight combine to justify a cautious 2-star assessment.
STEAMERS
Race Steamers
What the money's doing in this race — biggest price movements across the bookmakers since the last odds sync.
Cosi Bello (SR 90, 7/1) is the clear market mover in this 32-runner handicap, sitting as a standout price in a wide-open field. The form string 1124-1 is the most compelling in the race — a return to winning ways last time out at a competitive level, with a consistent pattern of hitting the frame throughout. Carrying 9-4 is a manageable weight for an SR-90 horse against a field where most rivals rate significantly lower, and the Good to Firm 7f at Ascot suits horses with a sharp, progressive profile. Charlie Fellowes' yard sends runners to Ascot with purpose and the market confidence at 7/1 in a 32-runner field is meaningful.
Each-way alternative: Royal Velvet.
Main danger: River King — River King (SR 89, 11/1, 9-2) carries a light weight relative to his SR and posts a 231-21 form string showing consistent competitiveness including a recent win, giving him every chance to outrun the market in a race where light-weighted improvers regularly show.
ShortlistCosi Bello, Royal Velvet, River King, Mezcala, Arctic Dawn