Jamie Spencer: He is two from three at this course, and was fourth in this race last year
Executive Force
He started off last year off a mark of 102 when trained by William [Haggas], and he races here off just 80, so the potential is clearly there if he can recapture some of his form after a fruitless 2017 campaign. He did run well in soft ground over a mile at Newbury just two starts ago, though, and he wasn’t beaten far on his return at Chelmsford last week when having his first start for this stable. He is definitely interesting off his falling mark.
Gabrial
He beat Mondialiste first time out in this race three years ago – and that was some performance in hindsight – and he has kept his form remarkably well ever since. His consistency has counted against him as regards his handicap mark, but he has been steadily coming down the weights of late and he has been running consistently well on the all-weather during the winter. So fitness isn’t an issue and his record at this course reads two wins from three starts, and a lengthy fourth to Bravery in this race last year, where he raced off a 4lb higher mark than this. As a 9yo, he is clearly vulnerable to less exposed and younger rivals, but he does have a very solid profile nonetheless. I think Lord Glitters could be a very good horse, maybe even Group 1 level, but winning this off 107 first time out is a huge ask. Obviously, I know Fire Brigade well but I think the horse who beat him at Newmarket last season, Addeybb, would be the one I would fear most. He looks a horse on the up to me.
Voyager Blue
He probably has as good form as any coming into this race, courtesy of his two placed efforts at Wolverhampton before Christmas. The longer trip and soft ground are unknowns, but you have to be hopeful that he would run another solid race.
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