Crystal Casque is a four-times track winner though never in a class this high. Sayifyouwill had two track victories in her hat-trick last spring and also won at Salisbury in the summer but GIFTED GOLD (NAP) looks the one to beat. Karl Burke's filly made a winning debut in 2021 and was returning from a very long break when landing a Southwell novices' contest last month. She looks the type to go onto better things starting here. Jilly Cooper has been narrowly beaten in two recent handicaps at this level, both on Tapeta, while Farhh To Shy has won at this level on Turf. Amber Island has managed to win six races and wasn't beaten far at this level at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day.
Amber Island (IRE) 40-1 (9-5) Towards rear of mid-division, shaken up and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never near to challenge, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Witch Hunter (9-11) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Exigency (8-10) 6th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Loubeisien (8-13) at Chantilly 6f lst stks pol in Mar.
Farhh To Shy 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 4l behind Manaafith (9-0) at Southwell 7f fll stks (2) pol in Jan.
Jilly Cooper (IRE) 10-3 (9-6) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Morgan Fairy (9-10) at Lingfield 1m hcp fll (3) pol in Dec.
Gifted Gold (IRE) 6-4fav (9-7) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, headway final furlong, led final 100 yards, won going away, won at Southwell 7f stks (5) pol in Dec beating Rumnotred (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Rattling 10-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, no chance with leaders, 5th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Elegant Charm (9-2) at Kempton 6f hcp fll (4) pol in Jan.
Sayifyouwill 8-1 (9-6) Dwelt and slow into stride, in rear, ridden over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 6, 5l behind Morgan Fairy (9-10) at Lingfield 1m hcp fll (3) pol in Dec.
Crystal Casque 28-1 (9-2) Close up, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Morgan Fairy (9-10) at Lingfield 1m hcp fll (3) pol in Dec.