Axiom has slipped back down to a dangerous mark and looks overpriced at 20/1 in the 4.45 at Ascot.
Ed Walker’s charge finsihed a cracking fourth in this contest last year and now runs off a 7lb lower mark.
He has also hinted that he has been coming back to form in his last two runs and looks to have been laid out for this.
The gelding first caught the eye two starts ago when keeping on well from off the pace to finish a never nearer 2 3/4 length sixth of 10 to Jacob Cats over a mile at Newmarket off a mark 97 on his first run after a break.
He was not knocked about, and then ran a similar race last time out when keeping on to be fourth of 7 to moone’s My Name at headquarters – again over a mile.
Since then he has been dropped another 3lb to a mark of 91. That means he is now on his lowest rating for four years, and gives him every chance from a handicapping perspective judged on the pick of his form.
Although the eight-year-old has not scored since landing a competitive affair at Goodwood back in 2010, that win came off 99 and he put in a series of creditable efforts last year off higher marks.
The gelding finished a highly creditable fourth of 21 to Sweet Lightning in the Lincoln off a mark of 101 , and an excellent second of 15 to Captain Ramius off 96.
Other pluses are that he has registered three of his five career successes over today’s 7f trip and had his ability to handle testing conditions is proven.
Noel Garbutt also takes another 5lb off his back, and everything looks in place for a big run.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Axiom (20/1 Coral)