This looks slightly more competitive that the other division, with last-time C&D winner Ballynaheer reopposing Copernic Du Mazet on 6lb worse terms. The latter may be able to turn the tables but the suggestion is handicap newcomer SAXONS LANE, who showed enough promise on his first hurdles start to suggest he might have got in a little lightly.[Jonathan Doidge]
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Multiple Flat winner at up to 2m, including a German Group 2; 1-7 over hurdles, having won on handicap debut at Taunton (2m, good to soft) last December; similar effort in defeat here (2m, soft) next time but below par last two starts; bit to prove.
2m hurdle winner (good) who showed improvement this time last year, his best effort coming over C&D (good to soft); has gone backwards in five subsequent starts, punctuated by wind surgery; back down in grade but revival needed.
Free-going gelding who showed some promise when second on his hurdling debut at Hereford (2m3f, good) last November but has been well below that level in two subsequent starts; initial mark looks workable and it would be no surprise to see him improve now entering handicaps.
0-10; peak effort over hurdles came in 2021 (2m, good); only seen four times since but showed he retains some ability when fourth at Stratford (2m2f, good) last October; not as good at Market Rasen latest but not written off in first-time tongue-tie.
Conjured up a career best to break his duck over C&D (good; first-time tongue-tie) latest, when making all; a 6lb rise suggests further improvement is required to successfully follow-up but that's not out of the question.
2m3f hurdle winner (good) last year, when 11lb higher; has been some way below that level in all starts since; latest second over C&D (good; first-time visor) was a step back in the right direction; 2lb rise won't help but he's not ruled out; 6th at Taunton yesterday.
Placed in all three starts over hurdles, including behind Ballynaheer over C&D (good) latest; same mark this time and will need improvement if he is to defy it but that is not ruled out.
