Smart stayer Legitimate has shown a distinct liking for Happy Valley in the past and can step up on a recent top effort to score in the Class One, 1,800-metre Blake Garden Handicap at the city track tonight.
It is an intriguing event and Legitimate is coming back in distance from 2,200 metres at his last start when he finished a fighting second to Fat Choy Together at the Valley.
Since then Legitimate, who usually takes time to come to himself, has been kept ticking over and is a top chance in what could turn into a decidedly competitive event.
The slight worry about Legitimate is the drop in distance after his exertions over the longer trip. Tonight's distance would unquestionably be in his favour at any other time and if he reproduces his best form he will be hard to beat.
It has not been a top season for the David Oughton stable and a win from Legitimate would be a bonus for the trainer who goes into the event double-handed as he also has Gaylord involved.
And Gaylord, too, will have his admirers. On his day he is adept at this distance and another one who loves the Valley as he showed a couple of starts back under Basil Marcus.