Trueshan a notable non-runner in staying event as old rival Coltrane bids to get back to winning ways

Trueshan is a notable non-runner due to the going and his absence leaves Coltrane as the highest-rated in this field on BHA ratings.

Andrew Balding's eight-year-old landed this prize three years ago but comes into this year's running on the back of a distant fifth in the Gold Cup, which produced a Racing Post Rating of just 98.

He therefore has questions to answer regarding his current form and may be vulnerable to a younger rival. Al Nayyir fits the bill as a seven-year-old, but questions remain over his form after a heavy defeat over this course and distance last month.

Al Nayyir: runs in the Coral Marathon at SandownCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

He was beaten nearly ten lengths by the subsequent Gold Cup winner Trawlerman that day and connections now turn to cheekpieces in a bid to liven him up. 

Term Of Endearment is a year younger aged six and is the solid option following her head second in the Bronte Cup at York last month. An RPR of 108 leaves her only equal to Al Nayyir on last-time-out form, but she might be going forward quicker than her older rival.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Tom Clover, trainer of Al Nayyir
He’s been training well, we put a set of cheekpieces on him at home and he worked nicely in them so he races in them. It was a solid run last time out at Sandown and will hopefully take a step forward from that tomorrow.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Kyle Of Lochalsh
I don’t like doing this but one has to declare even if there’s no chance of rain as there’s so few opportunities. We’ll have to wait and see what the ground is like in the morning – we’re hoping for a bit of juice.
Reporting by Oliver Barnard

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