Spotlight

Progressive when dropped to 5f in the second half of 2025, winning a Windsor novice (good to firm) and adding handicap wins at Chester (good to firm) and Haydock (good); unable to justify odds-on favouritism at Yarmouth (5f, good to soft) 24 days ago on her return from seven months off but it was still a solid effort and she remains capable of better; another 3lb higher today but sure to be popular.

Comment

Progressive in 2025 and reappearance was encouraging; up in weights but better to come

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Spotlight

Picked off late in the 3yo Dash 12 months ago; gelded prior to his seasonal return and he has run well on both starts in 2026, following his close third at Musselburgh with an impressive win at Goodwood five weeks ago (5f, good); a 9lb rise asks a stiffer question but he is progressive.

Comment

Second at this meeting last year; impressed at Goodwood latest; up 9lb but on the upgrade

Stable Tour

"He was second in the 3YO ‘Dash' at Epsom last year - he loves those Marmite tracks that a lot of other horses don't. Before he won at Goodwood last time we were quite keen to go for the Dash but we thought we'd better give him another run in case he doesn't get in at Epsom - he obviously will now, but with a much heftier weight (his rating went up 9lb to a mark of 97). But I think he is improving - he improved over the winter by being gelded and having a good break. He's consistent and has a good racing head on him and I wouldn't be surprised if he climbed a bit higher this year. He just looks an exciting animal this year - he has a high cruising speed and I think he has gears after that. He might be one worth following throughout the year - but if it isn't this year, it could well be next year that he reaches the dizzier heights of stakes company. He'd be my trainer's pick. 20-05-26"

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Spotlight

All four wins have come on the AW at Dundalk and she wasn't beaten far in a Group 3 there on her final run in 2025; fully effective on turf and ran a cracker at Navan three weeks ago, showing her trademark early speed before being picked off late on (front two pulled 6l clear); 8lb higher today but this track should play to her strengths; chance.

Comment

Speedy front-runner; fine second at Navan 3 weeks ago; 8lb higher but foolish to discount

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Spotlight

2-4 since joining Mick Appleby, notably a Class 2 handicap win at Pontefract (5f, good to soft; cheekpieces first time) in April; solid run at York three weeks ago and one for whom rain would be no concern.

Comment

2-4 for Mick Appleby; solid effort at York last month; one to consider

Spotlight

Yet to win for Ian Williams but he's down in the weights and has run well in two of his last three starts, pipped at Goodwood last month (5f, good); wouldn't be sure to confirm those placings with Dream Composer this time.

Comment

Second in two of his last three; not sure to confirm latest placing with Dream Composer

Spotlight

Won a 5f handicap (good to soft; first time in tongue-tie/cheekpieces combination) at Haydock last September off a 6lb lower mark; stayed on for second behind the impressive Lexington Blitz at Goodwood on last month's return; withdrawn at York two weeks ago having got upset in the stalls (9-1 at the time of withdrawal); the more rain the better; no accessories today.

Comment

Encouraging seasonal return at Goodwood; sharper today and the more rain the better

Spotlight

Trained by James Evans when winning this race in 2024 off a 5lb higher mark (good to soft); well beaten in it last year but he arrives in good form for his new stable, winning at Ripon in April and not enjoying the cleanest run when fourth at Goodwood 15 days ago; rain won't hurt his chance and he's of obvious interest.

Comment

Two good runs since joining Tony Carroll; won this race in 2024 off 5lb higher; big player

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Spotlight

Front-runner; second in this race in 2024 off 3lb higher; ran away with a 5f handicap at Haydock (good ground) last September off this mark; unable to hit the same heights since but his AW third in February was a fair run; won't be inconvenienced should there be a marked deterioration in the going but a full revival is required; visor returns having been left off latest.

Comment

Second here in 2024 off 3lb higher; has not found very best in 2026; needs a full revival

Stable Tour

"He had a bit of an issue in the starting gates in Dubai but it was promptly solved by Shayne Ryan, the chief starter over there, who did a great job on him. He's come back since, and while he's had no problem with the stalls at all, he might just be going through a bit of a cool patch because of the travelling back and forth to Dubai and getting racing again. We ran him on ground that was a bit too soft for him up at Musselburgh in April, but I think once he gets back in the groove he'll be back winning. I think the key to him is fast ground. He was taken on for the lead and finished down the field at Windsor on Monday. He'll bounce back and be in the winner's enclosure shortly, but it's going to be on his terms rather than ours. 20-05-26"

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Spotlight

In 2025 she took a big step forward from her seasonal return when sweeping through late to collar Lexington Blitz in the 3yo Dash on this card; also won at Wolverhampton in July (6f, AW) off 1lb higher than today; never a threat at York last month on return to action but it's not unreasonable to expect much better today and she is sure to get a strong pace to aim at.

Comment

Fast finish to peg back Lexington Blitz in 3yo Dash in 2025; can leave reappearance behind

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Spotlight

Won big-field 5f handicaps at York and Goodwood last July; two solid efforts in defeat this season and he won on his only visit to Epsom, albeit over 7f; not impossibly treated but he wouldn't want the ground to be any slower than good.

Comment

Two solid efforts this year and 1-1 at Epsom; suited by good/firmer

Stable Tour

"His owners would like to go for the Dash at Epsom on Derby day, but in the last couple of years he might not have got in off his current handicap mark, so maybe he'll have to win or run well before then to make the cut - that'll be the plan of action. I don't see why we don't go to Goodwood again with him in the summer. He's a straightforward sprinter. He's just the sort of horse we like here, being a good horse who just needed a change of scenery, a change of regime and a bit of tender loving care. 15-04-26"

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Medical History

Spotlight

Prolific winner down the years and he arrives off an 11lb lower mark than when fifth in this 12 months ago; yet to shine this year (poor draw at Chester on penultimate start) but it wouldn't be a huge shock to see him fare better today.

Comment

Prolific winner down the years; on a dangerous mark and revival isn't out of the question

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Spotlight

Admirable campaigner who is gradually edging down the weights; type to pop up soon but perhaps in a slightly less competitive affair.

Comment

Handicapped to win soon but this race might prove a shade too competitive

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Spotlight

Saw off 11 rivals when scoring at Musselburgh in April (5f, good; Class 4) but he has had his limitations exposed in stronger company twice since; beaten only 3l at York two weeks ago but others are more appealing in today's field.

Comment

Musselburgh win in April came in Class 4; held in stronger company twice since

Stable Tour

"He ran well in the sprint at York last Saturday, only beaten three lengths. He's a quick horse who needs a fast track and 5f. He'll keep going in those type of races over the summer and, if he gets a draw and a pace bias, he'll win one. 27-05-26"

Spotlight

6f AW win on his stable debut in November; added to his tally when seeing off five rivals at Chepstow 16 days ago (Class 4; 5f, good to soft); in deeper today.

Comment

Drop back to 5f saw him win a Class 4 at Chepstow last month; in much deeper today

Medical History

Spotlight

Appreciated the return to turf when finishing second of 17 at Ascot five weeks ago; 1lb rise still leaves him on a feasible mark; rarely seen on slower than good.

Comment

Good 2nd at Ascot on last month's return to turf; rain would be a concern

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Spotlight

Better on AW than turf but took advantage of a good opportunity at Yarmouth in April (5f, good); hit with an 8lb rise for that, bringing his turf and AW marks into line; blew the start back at Yarmouth last month but the stewards deemed him a non-runner due to having his head turned as the stalls opened; risky on the back of that and there are other pace influences to contend with today.

Comment

Better on AW; in a much deeper race than the one he won at Yarmouth eight weeks ago

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Spotlight

Progressive in 2025 and she took her form to a new level when second of 14 in a Bath Listed event on her reappearance (5f, good); not in the same form at Newbury (6f, good) when last seen seven weeks ago and she is now 11lb higher; others look stronger.

Comment

Bath 2nd on return was a fine effort but disappointing last time and now 11lb higher

Stable Tour

"She's unraced and was meant to run at Newmarket but banged herself in her box- she was a bit naughty. She'll probably run at Ascot this month. 08-05-24"

Spotlight

In good form on AW for Mike Murphy this winter, winning twice at Southwell (5f/6f); slowly away (blindfold removed late) at Goodwood two weeks ago; looks vulnerable at this level and goes without accessories this time.

Comment

Two AW wins this winter; slowly away at Goodwood latest; vulnerable at this level

Spotlight

Suited by good ground or slower; won a 5f Listed race in Italy on his final start for a French yard; big prices and finished down the field in two 5f handicaps last month; dropped 7lb for his troubles but he arrives with a point to prove.

Comment

Listed win in Italy last October; well held at big prices in two starts for his new stable

Quotes

Spotlight

Acts on any ground; having dropped in the weights he enjoyed a revival last August/September, rattling off a four-timer (5f-5.3f); had a stint in Bahrain over the winter, unplaced on four occasions but recording a career best when winning a 5f event (good to firm) in January; looks on a tough mark back in Britain.

Comment

Reeled off a four-timer last term; 5f win in Bahrain in January; looks high in weights

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