Verdict

An interesting race in which preference is for EVENS AND ODDS ahead of Prime Defender and Elnawin. Dandy Nicholls' gelding has had a stellar twelve months, finishing placed in both the Stewards' and Ayr Gold Cup's. He was a winner of a competitive handicap last May and he shaped with plenty of promise behind Equiano last time. Considering that horse has gone on to win the Palace House Stakes since, the form looks solid and he should run well. Elnawin was behind Equiano on their latest run but he tends to race too keenly hence his poor win record, Mac Gille Eoin is quick but his best form has come at Goodwood and his main target may be there later in the season, so a bigger threat could be Prime Defender who is a course and distance winner and has been holding his form well since a winter in Dubai. Redford has always promised much but to date he has really delivered very little, Run For The Hills is an interesting contender on this return to action but the feeling is that an official rating of 101 is flattering, whilst Valery Borzov hasn't been with his new yard for long and there may be more to come. Not an easy race to work out but Evens And Odds looks the one to side with.

Formwatch

Elnawin 10-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Equiano (8-13) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.

Evens And Odds (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden to chase winner over 1f out until entering final furlong, no extra and lost 2 places, 4th of 8, 3l behind Equiano (9-5) at Newmarket 6f Listed stks (1) gf in Apr.

Mac Gille Eoin 25-1 (9-0) In rear, never a factor, 9th of 10, 9l behind Arganil (9-3) at Lingfield 5f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) pol in Mar.

Prime Defender 9-2 (9-4) Mid-division, outpaced well over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to chase leaders inside final furlong, no impression, 4th of 13, 2l behind Secret Asset (8-1) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Apr.

Redford (IRE) 9-2fav (9-2) Held up, never a factor, 9th of 13, 12l behind Inxile (9-5) at Doncaster 6f Listed stks (1) sft in Mar.

Run For The Hills 20-1 (8-12) Behind, headway and switched right over 1f out, ran on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Spin Cycle (8-12) at Newmarket 5f Listed stks (1) gf in Oct.

Valery Borzov (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Prominent stands side group, weakened entering final furlong, 20th of 26, 11l behind Jimmy Styles (9-2) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.