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Unique will resume from a spell in the Cessnock Cup today for trainer Kris lees and on best form looks hard to go past.

The four-year-old gelding possesses a good career record and was not far away when runner up in a recent trial at Newcastle.

Unique will certainly be looking for more ground than what is on offer today (1358m) but was runner up in tougher company over a similar trip when first up last campaign.

Leading country jockey Robert Thompson goes on board for the first time and having been competitive in metropolitan company last campaign will be hard to beat here.

Possesses a handy record at the trip previously having placed in two of three and he looks right up to winning a race like this.

Stablemate Slivovitz also resumes for Lees having been very consistent last campaign.

The six-year-old gelding will also be looking for more ground and would expect him to need the first up run more than Unique.

Andrew Gibbons who has won 3/7 remains on board and he has drawn well in barrier 4.

Should get back in the run and with not the best record when first up previously or over this trip his class should be able to get him into the finish against these.

Gentleman Joh has been in very good form of late, winning both races this campaign.

Most recent came at Taree over 1300m and he is right down in the weights with the 2kg claim for apprentice jockey.

Melinda Graham sticks with him today and would expect the seven-year-old to take up the lead again and take plenty of running down.

Tableaux also comes into consideration but will need to show a bit of improvement on his recent form.

The Todd Howlett-trained runner does drop back in grade off a ninth at Randwick and if he can find his best he can make it into the finish.

The resuming Olympic Academy also from the Kris Lees stable is likely to need the run, having not been seen since scoring a win at Canterbury over 1900m in February.

Place claims look best first up over this trip.