Night Cru is the pick over Celtic Spirit and Mull Of Dubai, with Seabow and Galactic Star perhaps best watched. The last two named return to the fray here, and are both reported to have worked well at home, but we are happy to rely on the proven race-fitness of Night Cru. Chris Wall's runner has really found his form since being stepped back up in trip, winning two of his last three starts, the most recent of which was at Newmarket three weeks ago. He justified favouritism then despite being raised in the weights, and although he tackles a class 3 for the first time, can prove up to the task. Celtic Spirit is the main danger based on his Salisbury success in this grade, and if they go a strong pace that will suit Ralph Beckett's challenger who has bags of stamina. Windsor winner Mull Of Dubai will relish any rain that falls as he lines up in search of a hat-trick, but Night Cru has a decent profile and can pay to follow again.
Star of Light 13-2 (9-11) Took keen hold behind, ridden 3f out, not quicken, 7th of 8, 7l behind Mariotto (9-1) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) sft.
Night Cru 7-2fav (9-8) Keen, tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on (hand timed), won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun beating Magicalmysterytour (9-11) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Seabow (USA) 9-4 (9-3) In touch, smooth headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, shaken up to go clear approaching final furlong, eased towards finish, won at Nottingham 1m 2f mdn stk (5) sft in Oct beating Galactic Star (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Celtic Spirit (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (8-11) Mid-division, headway over 3f out to join leader over 2f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, kept on gamely, won at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Jun beating Oh Glory Be (9-1) by 1l, 8 ran.
Mull of Dubai 15-8fav (9-7) Held up, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) sft beating Cleaver (9-2) by a nk, 6 ran.
Invention (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Soon clear with leader, weakened 2f out, 7th of 8, 25l behind Celtic Spirit (8-11) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Jun.
Galactic Star 5-6fav (9-3) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) sft in Oct beating Conservation (9-3) by 1l, 11 ran.
Zaif (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Held up, not trouble leaders, 6th of 10, 9l behind Night Cru (9-8) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
Thyolo (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 17, 11l behind Bauer (9-0) at Newbury 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Sgt Schultz (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Took keen hold in touch, short-lived effort on inside 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 8l behind Wild Fell Hall (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun.
Just Observing 6-1 (9-3) In touch, driven 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 6l behind Zaif (9-7) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
