16:20 Salisbury

Al Azhar has to be greatly respected given he has won 2 of his last 3 but he has been hiked up 8lb for that last win and that might be enough to swing the momentum towards FIRST OFFICER. The latter is by Galileo and while he is still a maiden after 4 starts he showed more than enough at Sandown last time to suggest he can win a race like this. He just looked outpaced for me when asked to pick up and stepping up to a mile and a half now looks ideal. That latest form has already worked out well with Youthful King who finished down the field going in at Windsor on Monday night. A mark of 77 surely underestimates him? Zain Nights took up his engagement at Newbury yesterday so is unlikely to be turned out quickly for this. Super Stars finished last at York and has enough to prove off the back of that.
 

19:20 Kempton

Royal Aviation won in the style of a well handicapped horse at Windsor last month and didn’t do a lot wrong when second to Kitsune Power at Nottingham last time. He is definitely a danger but I’ve got to side with WESTERN WRITER here. This son of Shamardal was an eye-catcher when down the field on debut but improved to finish second over C&D on second start. He took a step forward again to make a winning return at Chelmsford earlier this month and with further progress on the cards now handicapping he looks the most likely winner here. He will appreciate the step back up to a mile and has plenty going for him. Of the rest Prism had quite a tough ask on return and could only finish fifth but she should build on that and will likely hit the frame if doing so. Raqraaq also noted if putting that Chepstow run behind him.