MARCUS AURELIUS (3) is the clear starting point despite finishing fifth at his two runs this campaign, as both came in stronger assignments and his record around 1250m is a key positive. He was beaten just under three lengths in BM82 company two back, then tackled Open grade last start, and the return to a proven track-and-trip setup gives him the most persuasive winning profile. GOLD DUST (4) is the race-fit danger, having won a BM80 at this venue last start after a narrow Kenilworth second, and his two wins from four starts around this distance keep him right in the argument. MEET THE KING (6) has recent form that reads poorly, but the class drop and sharp weight relief give him a pathway back into the placings if he can recover his earlier figures. KELP FOREST (1) has to prove his last-start BM82 win at long odds was no one-off, though a prior heavy defeat at Kenilworth makes him the more volatile of the shortlisted chances.