York

12:45pm

Brentford Hope

I was hugely impressed by him when he won his 1m2f maiden at Newmarket on soft ground in the autumn. The way the form has worked out has been mixed but I think you would be better advised to simply focus on the manner of his wide-margin win. Richard [Hughes] obviously had Classic hopes for him at the start of the year but they ended up being dashed when the horse broke a rib in the spring and he had to bypass a shot at Epsom as a result. I rode him in a recent gallop though and, again, I have to say I was very taken with him. He does carry a 7lb penalty here in what could be a very good novice, but I would be disappointed if he doesn’t go very close here. He’s a good horse.