The five-day turnround rates more of an issue with Balhambar (next best) than the penalised mark or return to a sounder surface, whilst Flight Of Freedom and (assuming he'll consent to settle) Dancing In Brazil look more compelling on the anticipated conditions than Kado De Joie or Pickanumber. All those named could yet be surprised by GIVE ME A MOMENT, another for whom the ground has come right but additionally 13lb lower than when last seen over hurdles. [Jeremy Grayson]
Watch Live UK & Irish Racing
Simply place a bet of £5 or more on
any UK or Irish race to watch the action live!
Effectively a 0-135 Bangor handicap (2m3f, soft) in which his winning streak for Olly Murphy ended last time; likely his prospects depend on whether he can carry his recent improvement back to a sounder surface.
Opening hurdles mark looked attractive considering his peak Flat RPRs, and comfortable successes this month at Ludlow and (last Saturday) Bangor have proved as much; 1lb well in under the penalty, and this quicker surface will hold no terrors for a winner on good in his previous vocation.
Didn't have his ground during a light winter chasing campaign; able to race off 13lb lower than when last seen over hurdles a year ago, and has run to RPRs of up to 122 when making all in good-ground novices in the past; very interesting barring any significant rainfall.
Ready winner of a junior bumper here in November 2022 (good); mark not obviously generous, but could yet make light of it if finally overcoming the free-going tendencies of every hurdles start so far.
Comfy win on her Warwick hurdles debut last autumn (2m, good), after a longer absence than today's, and excuses of the penalty and (latest, on handicap debut) the 2m4f trip subsequently; chance off 1lb lower.
Settled better but couldn't raise game in the first-time hood (retained) when fifth in a Wetherby chase latest (1m7f, soft); others more appealing, though has at least coped fine with good ground previously.
C&D scorer off 2lb lower in June 2022 (good); nearly as long as he last raced over hurdles, and possible this rates a confidence fillip after his jumping let him down over fences back here last time.
Soft-ground Market Rasen maiden scorer (2m1f) in February; sounder surface appeared more the issue than the class 2 company (effectively only really a 0-122 event) when outpaced in an Ascot juvenile handicap latest, but still sufficiently young and unexposed to fare better.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )