Ed Walker’s lightly-raced four-year-old looks the type to possibly contest some of the big handicaps this season, and could get off to a winning start here. 

After breaking his maiden at Thirsk on his second start, English Oak then went on to run well under a penalty, but disappointed on his first handicap run at York. 

However, he signalled that he has a big one in him when finishing second to Rohaan (former Wokingham winner) on his final start at Ascot. He didn’t get the best of runs through, and was also on the wrong side, so may well have been unlucky. 

He begins this season just a pound higher, though, and looks one to be with.

Although top-weight Spanish Star will make a bold bid to repeat his win of last season, Patrick Chamings' evergreen nine-year-old might be up against a sprint handicapper on the up here. 

Bishop’s Crown ended last season with a win after running consistently well and began this season looking an improved performer when he won on his seasonal reappearance at Windsor. 

He took it up a furlong out and went away to win by over two lengths from a decent field, and has been raised 6lb for that performance. 

In my opinion, that could easily have been more and, given the fantastic form of the Eve Johnson Houghton yard, I believe there must be a strong chance he can complete the hat-trick.

Ledger has gradually improved and run consistently well since he joined Lucinda Russell last Autumn, and has won a couple of modest handicaps on the all-weather at Newcastle.

He has been campaigned exclusively at the Gosforth Park track but, provided he can reproduce his form on turf, I think he should kick off the season with a win. 

Oisin Orr was on board for the first of his wins and gets on well with the four-year-old, and the pair look the only in-form combination in this very moderate event.