Despite being at the latter stages of his career, the speedy COPPER KNIGHT (best price 13/2), who was second in this last year, is down to a career-low mark and showed that there’s still life left in the old dog with a creditable third at Beverley last time out. 

This four-time C&D winner has gained all of those wins off higher marks and today’s figure of 73 is his lowest ever. Whether he still has the legs to maintain his position now that he’s a year old remains to be seen.

However, the 11-year-old was a neck-second in this race last year off a 2lb higher mark, where he had a few of today’s reopposing rivals in behind, including Roman Dragon, who is peculiarly half his odds. 

He has proven time and time again that he’s like a bullet from a gun out of the gate and this does look like a weaker renewal, so from a good slot in stall 3, the veteran of the field is certainly no back number. Most firms are offering four places, so that will do for me.

COPPER KNIGHT, 0.5pts E/W, 13/2, 4 places

Mount Kilimanjaro was runner-up in a Group 1 at two, but I’m really not convinced he wants this sort of trip, and I’m happy to take him on at the odds. The one who I have come down on is CALLA LAGOON (best price 10/1) for Ralph Beckett. 

A few of the stable runners have evidently been needing the run, but I think this colt will be ready, and he has the potential to rank higher. Now I know he was beaten last time in this grade, but the ground was testing, which wouldn’t have helped.

He still finished her race off to good effect though, to indicate that this longer distance could be what he needs. Rossa Ryan takes the ride on him for the first time and I reckon he can give this favourite a few problems.

CALLA LAGOON, 0.5pts E/W, 10/1

The consistent HIGH ON HOPE (best price 8/1) deserves a first win for his sterling efforts in defeat and looks to have sound each-way claims at the very least in the Louise Keegan Handicap. 

Tom Dascombe has enjoyed great success at this course down the years and this three-year-old has placed in six of his eight starts to date, including on both handicap starts. 

He was behind Sex On Fire last time out when third, but is a lot better off at the weights this time, and with Warren Fentiman claiming a further 3lb, a bold showing could be on the cards.

HIGH ON HOPE, 0.5pts E/W, 8/1

My best bet on the card is the Iain Jardine-trained PADDY THE SQUIRE (best price 8/1). 

You cannot knock his consistency, and this son of Golden Horn goes well when fresh, having finished runner-up at this meeting two years ago on soft ground. 

He also finished an unlucky third over C&D in September, where he was denied a clear run inside the final furlong before surging home to be nearest the finish. 

That form has worked out well, with numerous subsequent winners since, including Have Secret, and he’s 6lb lower in the handicap for today’s event. 

His only previous outing on fast ground resulted in a narrow defeat to the 95-rated Forceful Speed, so he’s chucked in here off 81. 

Drawn nicely in stall five, with conditions to suit, I make him a serious each-way contender. He has all of the ingredients to run a big race and four places are widely on offer.

PADDY THE SQUIRE, 0.5pts E/W, 8/1, 4 places