YorkSat, October 12, 2024

Ralph Beckett has won this contest for three of the last five years all with horses off a similar mark. The Kimpton Downs-based trainer obviously targets this prize and with that in mind consider VALIANT KNIGHT (2) who enjoyed conditions going down by a nose over 7f at Thirsk last month. May defy this opening rating. Top-weight SEAGOLAZO (1) stormed home to finish fourth in a competitive sales race at Doncaster (6½f) and must be respected despite giving weight away. Haydock (1m) runner-up SIR WILLIAM (6) could go well down in trip on nursery debut. FEARLESS FREDDY (3) won at Kempton and cannot be dismissed.