The action kicks off on a high with the card's most valuable contest attracting a competitive field but Kepler appears to hold strong claims. Paul Cole's charge has taken well to this surface winning twice in November and can be forgiven his next outing on account of a slow pace. The son of Spinning World bounced back with a fine effort when runner-up in a hot contest at Lingfield last month (Devolution fourth and held) and this progressive sort will be difficult to beat off a 1lb higher mark. Te Quiero comes here on a hat-trick bid and has to be respected after a wide-margin win over course and distance last time (now 11lb higher) but will find this tougher off his revised rating. Gallant Boy showed useful turf form with Sir Michael Stoute and got off the mark in a one-mile maiden here last time for present connections. The four-year-old will appreciate the longer trip and is open to plenty of improvement so rates a danger. The lightly weighted Bressbee along with consistent pair Just Wiz and Katiypour are others to consider but Celtic Thatcher is not the force of old and Intricate Web is handicapped up to his very best at present.
