Forecast rain would help 'talented' Hibou

3.35 Redcar
Racing UK Zetland Gold Cup Handicap | 1m2f, 3yo+ | RUK

This historic handicap regularly attracts fields well up to the standard that a prize fund of £25,000 commands, and well-treated and improving sorts feature prominently this year.

Euchen Glen and Storm King won their most recent starts, while Briardale, Hibou and Swift Emperor all arrive in the best form of their careers.

Mark Johnston has enjoyed plenty of success, including wins in the last two years and is doubly represented. Beardwood has to recapture his best but is a course-and-distance winner, while Rainbow Rebel comes in with a bit more promise on recent form but with a background not obviously as attractive.

Lack of exposure

No three-year-old has run in the race so far this decade, including this year, and in their absence it is unsurprisingly four-year-olds that have dominated with six of the last eight winners coming from that age group.

Course record

Worcestershire-based Ian Williams understandably does not send too many this far north, but his record at Redcar in the last five seasons stands at an impressive four wins from 16 runners, including this race three years ago.

What they say

Iain Jardine, trainer of Hibou
We could do with a bit of the rain which is forecast, so fingers crossed. He's a talented horse. When he won here over course and distance in the autumn he barely came off the bridle and we thought over the winter this might be the race. It got a bit quick for him at Ayr last time but he’s in good form and it looks like being a well-run race, so hopefully he can get on the scene late on.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to Mark Johnston, trainer of Beardwood and Rainbow Rebel
Beardwood was a bit disappointing at York, but it was a big field and the ground went against him a little and he never really got into it. We've had this race in mind for a while for him and conditions should be in his favour. It's a competitive race, but probably fair to say it isn't the hottest renewal. Rainbow Rebel ran a good race at Ripon last time and can probably do a bit better than that. We've had some success in this race, so it's one we keep an eye on and we think he's the right sort for it.

Jim Goldie, trainer of Euchen Glen
He's in great form and I think he'll run a good race. He's probably still an improving horse on turf and he's a full brother to Sir Chauvelin, so he might keep going that way. He stays further which certainly won't hinder him.

David Griffiths, trainer of Storm King
I was a bit surprised he won as well as he did at Chester and the form has worked out nicely; the horse he beat was a good second there again on Saturday. I thought he'd get a lot more than a 3lb rise, especially given he'd won off 90 in the past. He doesn't need to lead, but if he bounces out we'll try to make it.