Rohaan can snap a near year-long losing spell with victory in the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup.
David Evans’ charge is no stranger to trappy, big-field handicaps such as this, counting two Wokingham wins on a CV that also boasts Group Two and Three strikes.
Admittedly, the now six-year-old is not quite the same horse as when securing those Pattern verdicts back in 2021, but he remains a highly effective operator, who has now fallen to a very attractive mark of 96.
Triumphant off 6lb higher at Ascot last October, Rohaan had also run with credit off a perch of 104 when a narrow seventh in this race last term, underlining the appeal of his current rating.
A recent third at Ascot offered hope of a return to form after some disappointing efforts so far in 2024 and this could be an ideal opportunity to grab the spotlight once more.
The consolation Silver Cup can go the way of Thirsk winner Kings Merchant, who appears firmly on the upgrade for Edward Bethell.
Englemere makes most appeal in what is an open-looking Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Firth Of Clyde.
Winner of the Listed St Hugh’s Stakes at Newbury on her penultimate start, she found Aesterius and a couple of others too good when upped to Group Three level at ParisLongchamp on her most recent outing.
Beaten just over two lengths in fourth, she looked ready for a move up to six furlongs with the value of that form further underlined by Aesterius’ Flying Childers win last week.
Phantom Flight shoulders top weight in the Livescore Bet Doonside Cup Stakes but that should prove no bar to success.
He ran a cracker when second to See The Fire in the Strensall Stakes at York and while Persica is vastly favoured under the race conditions, Phantom Flight is clearly thriving for George Scott this term
Annaf was set a stiff task on his return from a long absence, but his recent Haydock spin should have brought him on nicely for the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes at Newbury.
Winner of a huge prize in Saudi Arabia at the start of the year, a subsequent trip to Dubai nearly cost him his life as Annaf developed pneumonia on the flight and took a long time to recover from that illness.
Pitched into the Sprint Cup for his return to action it was no surprise he finished well beaten, although he found trouble in running a couple of times which would hardly have helped his challenge.
The outing should have got his eye in again though, and Annaf boasts by far the best rating here, as well as being proven on a variety of ground.
Symbol Of Strength is the pick in the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes.
Since finishing fifth on his Beverley debut in May, Adrian Keatley’s charge has not looked back, winning at Ayr in July before running a fine third in the Gimcrack and securing Group Three gold in the Sirenia Stakes last time out.
His half-length verdict that day can be upgraded as Keatley felt the all-weather surface counted against his charge, but he still picked up to good effect and should have no problem with a bit of ease in Berkshire.
Saturday racing tips
AYR: 1.15 Yantarni, 1.50 Phantom Flight, 2.25 Kings Merchant, 3.00 Englemere, 3.35 ROHAAN (NAP), 4.10 Tierney, 4.40 Vince Le Prince, 5.15 Cool Party.
CHESTER: 1.55 Wadacre Giorgio, 2.30 Claim To Glory, 3.05 Raneenn, 3.40 South Parade, 4.15 Almaty Star, 4.45 Small Fry, 5.20 Bushfire.
GOWRAN: 2.16 Kalixa, 2.51 County Mayo, 3.26 Lorr’s Girl, 4.01 One Look, 4.35 Castanets, 5.10 Barrogstown Girl, 5.40 Kelbelle.
NAVAN: 2.00 Iceford, 2.35 Irish Rumour, 3.10 Koniag, 3.45 Venting, 4.20 Keilah, 4.55 Get, 5.30 Martinelli.
NEWBURY: 1.30 Annaf, 2.05 Kotari, 2.40 Quietness, 3.15 Symbol Of Strength, 3.50 Shiplake, 4.25 One More, 5.00 Movie Maker, 5.35 Tribal Chief.
NEWMARKET: 1.35 Pearl Of Hope, 2.10 Sea Regal, 2.45 Bell Shot, 3.20 Miss Show Off, 3.55 Premiere Ligne, 4.30 Dubai Melody, 5.05 Fools Rush In.
WOLVERHAMPTON: 4.19 Kameko Spirit, 4.50 Corpus Juris, 5.25 Magic Glow, 5.55 Uppercase, 6.30 Lucy Lockett, 7.00 Mintana, 7.30 Yeoman, 8.00 Kensington Agent, 8.30 Kojin.
DOUBLE: Rohaan and Annaf