Stratford Racing Tips

Edinburgh Castle and Percy's Word set the standard for this maiden but holes can be picked in the finishing efforts displayed by both so far. The former sports a tongue-tie that may aid him, but even so, it could pay instead to row in behind Alan King's Catbird Seat on his second start over timber. He was asking major questions of the odds-on jolly at Uttoxeter early last month only to come down after an untidy jump at the last. His trainer will surely have got plenty of schooling into him since and a clear round could make all the difference.

A six-race maiden on the Flat for Tom Dascombe but Scots Gold certainly showed he possesses ability in that sequence and he could hardly be in better hands having joined Dan Skelton ahead of his move to jumping. He's got the services of the champion jockey for this introduction and the Dark Angel gelding is very likely to know his job first time out. This is a good opportunity, with Scrappy Jack carrying a double penalty and conceding him a chunk of weight.

After a decent time of it over timber this summer - including a win at Huntingdon over this sort of trip in May - Bagan looked sure to notch a second career win over fences prior to unseating his rider on the landing side of the final fence over C&D 25 days ago. He had moved menacingly well to that point and, with his previous chasing success having arrived here, can make amends now despite the handicapper having nudged him up 4lb.

The youngest of these five contenders, Wbee may have the measure of his rivals as he goes in pursuit of a four-timer over fences. The Yeats gelding is progressing at this sort of level recently, notching C&D wins in April and July either side of a Cartmel success in May. He put his rivals to the sword with a decisive move from two out here last time and was only closed down late by a rival receiving more than a stone in weight. Sean Bowen's mount is 5lb higher now but should continue to go well.