There was rain here on Friday and more is forecast today. On soft or heavy ground, the best option may well be ITHACA'S ARROW (nap), who impressed at Chester last Saturday, but that superb veteran Not So Sleepy could also come to the fore. Waxing Gibbous has more to prove away from good ground but this progressive sort looks set to go very well otherwise, while Lieber Power is going great guns and would seemingly be fine on good to soft. Kotari is another one to note.[Richard Austen]
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Has usually run in Group events, winning a Group 3 here (1m4f, soft) on 2023 reappearance; second in Group 2 at Deauville (upped to 1m7f, very soft) last August but no show in 1m6f handicap at Haydock (14-1) two weeks ago on his only start since, after which he seems best watched.
His last three wins have been in Bahrain (December 2022 to December 2023) but he went off the boil there early this year and finished towards rear in two good handicaps back in Britain in June; not proven beyond 1m4f.
Magnificent veteran who has retained a rare zest, demonstrated last year with a front-running Flat win in this race (heavy; stays well) and a second triumph in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle; creditable fourth in his two runs back on the Flat this term, the latest at Epsom on Derby day (1m4f; finished strongly); respected on that and any significant rain over the last day or so will probably help.
Can race freely and was hooded throughout his career until going without in the Ebor at York (1m6f, good to firm) four weeks ago, in which he put up a bold show but faded into 11th of 20; reliable sort over 1m4f/1m6f, perhaps ideally suited by softer than good.
Unraced on soft; in the form of his life over about 1m4f this summer, with two wins (York and Chepstow) and three close seconds, the latest at York Ebor meeting (4lb higher today); finished with gusto from the rear on last two outings, in a style suggesting he would stay further, so he's on the shortlist.
Back to form with a win at 25-1 under 7lb claimer Jack Dace at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) 16 days ago, coming from the rear; his turf record this season (four races) is a problem but he was fine on turf in 2023; having gone back up 5lb, he probably needs a career best and he's unraced beyond 1m4f.
Had a largely solid 12 months or so, including reaching new heights during a pretty busy AW campaign prior to his creditable and none-too-lucky sixth in the Chester Cup in May when last seen (finished lame); that was on good to firm and easily his best turf form, but he won on soft in 2022; withdrawn at Chester one week ago after scoping wrong; it will be interesting to see what the market makes of him after the layoff.
Three wins last year (good to soft/soft) and back on the scoresheet at Thirsk (1m4f, soft) in April; not at the same level in his three starts since (fair third on his one attempt at 1m5f) and drying ground would seemingly be against him, but he's of interest if there's been a downpour.
Built upon 2yo promise (including on good) to win easily on handicap/seasonal debut at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) in April; off two months before her excellent second of six in handicap at Goodwood (1m4f, soft) on latest start, which made this trip look viable but she needs further improvement.
This season has partly been a hard-luck story, as he's finished mostly on the premises over 1m4f/1m6f and caught the eye three times with serious trouble in running; fourth of 15 in valuable event at Haydock two weeks ago but below form in going down by 9l, without apparent excuses.
Impressed twice in the mud over 1m4f last autumn and won on soft at Doncaster this April; not so good since and latest start has to be a worry given that she was back on heavy going, which should have suited.
4yo whose four handicaps brought a Newbury win (1m4f, good) in May and three seconds; the latest was a close call in valuable race at Haydock (1m6f, good) two weeks ago, clear of the third; unraced on firmer than good (withdrawn once in July due to that ground); progressive and, although up another 5lb, should put up another bold show if the ground is okay.
Ex-French; had a hurdles campaign before winning at Windsor (good), Salisbury (heavy; by 10l) and Ascot (good) on his three Flat starts this spring; the last named was on step up to 1m4f, over which he was a respectable, staying-on fifth when favourite at Epsom on Derby day; can race freely but this new trip is well worth a go; off 112 days but needs a close look.
Second win this season came when upped to 1m6f at Sandown in July, drawing clear again in the final 1f; those front-running tactics did not work out in the Melrose at York (tailed off) and he was well beaten at Haydock two weeks ago, so may have gone off the boil.
Juvenile hurdle winner on heavy ground in March; five months off before showing improved Flat form when a close second at Goodwood (1m6f, soft) and clearcut winner last Saturday at Chester (1m4f, soft); up another 5lb; a rising force, with more to prove away from soft ground but the recent rain looks a big positive.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
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