Well-drawn Vimy Ridge on handy mark

It is 23 runs since Vimy Ridge recorded his last victory, but that came at this course over 5f and he is starting to look extremely well treated having dropped 11lb in the weights to a mark of only 74.

The four-year-old has returned to form recently and was beaten only a short-head in a 5f handicap at Musselburgh last month off a mark just 1lb lower than today's. He followed that with another decent effort on turf when seventh in a competitive 6f York handicap.

The return to that trip on the all-weather appears in his favour and he has landed a good draw on the inside in stall one on this turning track. Graham Gibbons has a healthy 15 per cent strike-rate when joining forces with trainer Alan Bailey and the jockey booking is a positive.