Darkdeserthighway is preferred here on the basis of a progressive profile and a fitness edge that the bare ratings do not fully capture, sitting just a pound behind the top two on our figures in a competitive seventeen-runner field at Down Royal over ten furlongs on good ground. Solomon Coop heads the ratings narrowly and must be respected alongside stablemate Solomon and Lough Leane, who all carry strong claims and could easily turn the tables if Darkdeserthighway's advantages prove less significant on the day. The selection is Darkdeserthighway.