A rise of just 1lb for KENNACK BAY looks kindly considering what RPR he was in the process of posting when falling late on his chasing debut, and Ben Pauling's gelding is taken to make light of his sizeable absence. Last-time 2m4f course scorer Calvic is the logical alternative should the run prove needed, stamina for 3m already confirmed in a Kent point win, whilst Doyens De Ante's C&D record on ground quicker than soft merits him consideration also. [Jeremy Grayson]
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Placed in a bumper and a stayers' maiden hurdle in two previous visits here, though neither the latter nor a Wincanton sixth since rate as infallible proof of his staying 3m; mark for this handicap/chasing debut isn't a gift, and the debuted visor will likely need to provoke improvement.
In the process of running a clear personal best when falling two out on his chasing debut at Newton Abbot in June 2022 (3m2f, good; RPR 108), 4l up and not stopping; absent since but returns off just 1lb higher.
Seductively handicapped if the RPR of 102 for last May's C&D novice hunter chase second (good) is taken as gospel; way below that level over both obstacles since, but the return to a sound surface offers hope.
Bounced back to form with a 7l success under Dylan Whelan at Uttoxeter (3m, heavy) yesterday, ending a long losing spell; 7lb penalty is less of a concern than the return to forecast much faster ground.
Still had sufficient in reserve despite whacking two out to get up by a neck over 2m4f here last month (good; RPR 98); 3lb rise perfectly fair and a point win at Penshurst in 2022 confirms a sharp 3m is within range.
Irish point winner over 3m this time last year, but struggled from a way out on his first return to that trip since on February's handicap hurdle debut; cheekpieces and switch to fences need to inspire better.
Back to the level of January's Hereford 2m5f win with last time's third over the same C&D (soft), though again missed one fence out on the way round; untried at 3m, but one half-sibling stays further still.
Pulled up on soft ground here last time, but C&D chase record of 221 on quicker ground than that includes a good second in this race from out of the weights last year and a win off today's mark; not ruled out.
Coming again late on when over 2l third to Calvic here latest (2m4f, good); untried over further under rules and didn't convince overly at 3m in Irish points, but back in the handicap proper today, at least.
Winless since late 2020 but in the frame on three of his last four starts (soft) off historically tiny marks, staying on but not troubling the leaders; place claims returning to a sound surface he also handles.
Dual good-ground staying chase scorer this time two years ago, including off 6lb higher; hasn't finished off his last few races strongly, however, and over 30l behind Amalfi Skyline at Hereford last time.
