3
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|
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11/2
6/1
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11/2
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SP
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Spotlight :
Good third in the 3m2f Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in December 2023, despite jumping problems, and he has 3lb lower mark today; that was the only time that things went remotely right for him last term but he made a very solid reappearance this season when a rallying second to 12l winner Fontaine Collonges, with what looked an excellent confidence-booster under his new jockey Nick Scholfield; promises to stay beyond 3m2f and goes on the shortlist.
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4
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13/2
6/1
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13/2
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SP
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Spotlight :
Had wind surgery in July; 2m4f was too short on reappearance and she was not at all discredited in the 3m2f Coral Gold Cup at Newbury next time, outpaced from four out; that sees her back to the same mark as when a close second in the Classic at Warwick (3m5f, soft) in January, staying on dourly, and she has strong each-way claims if she returns to her peak form.
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6
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|
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8/1
17/2
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8/1
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SP
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Spotlight :
The winner was almost out of sight on heavy going in this race last year but Iron Bridge beat the rest, just in front of Iwilldoit; third in another major long-distance handicap on his next start (below form in two afterwards) and back to form when third at Carlisle on reappearance eight weeks ago; 6lb lower than 12 months ago but may still need to find extra.
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10
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|
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11/2
15/2
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8/1
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SP
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Spotlight :
7yo who is narrowly the most lightly raced horse in this field; raised his game upped to 3m5f and an extended 3m4f on soft on last two starts last term, snatching a win at Haydock last time; up another 4lb but gives the very strong impression he will keep on galloping at this trip as well.
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7
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|
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15/2
8/1
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17/2
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SP
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Spotlight :
Much the strongest up the straight to win the 3m3f Grand National Trial at Punchestown (heavy) in February by 16l; well beaten since when fourth in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham and eighth in the Irish National; absent 270 days and blinkers replace the cheekpieces of last five starts, but the Punchestown performance ensures he is one to take seriously.
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1
|
|
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11/1
12/1
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11/1
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SP
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Spotlight :
Mightily impressive with a wide-margin win at Wetherby (3m, soft) last Christmas and same again at Haydock (extended 3m1f, soft; from Monbeg Genius) five weeks ago; her only run in between is a worry, though, as she weakened quickly from seven out in the Classic Chase at Warwick, and that was her second major failure to prove her stamina at about 3m4f/3m5f; throw in an 8lb rise since Haydock and some doubts creep in.
|
11
|
|
|
12/1
9/1
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11/1
|
SP
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Spotlight :
Won three in a row last winter when cheekpieces were first enlisted and he again kept finding more when repelling the challengers at Carlisle (upped to 3m2f, good to soft; acts on heavy) on reappearance early last month; raised another 5lb but looks sure to stay beyond 3m2f and he's a fascinating candidate given the clear scope for further improvement.
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14
|
|
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14/1
11/1
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|
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12/1
|
SP
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Spotlight :
Upped to 3m2f when excellent second at Newbury (soft) in this week last year; two more runs this term take his chase score to 0-6 but he ran creditably back at 3m last time and looks a strong candidate for long distances; wears headgear for the first time; needs a very close look for the stable which won this race in 2011, 2013 and 2015.
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15
|
|
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12/1
14/1
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12/1
|
SP
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Spotlight :
7yo who drew clear over an extended 2m5f at Fairyhouse (heavy) in February; stamina for this is an unknown but he was in serious contention when falling four out in an extended 3m5f race at Fairyhouse on reappearance nearly four weeks ago; dark horse from a highly respected stable.
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2
|
|
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12/1
|
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14/1
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SP
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Spotlight :
Won this on soft by 9l in 2021 and the 3m5f Classic at Warwick (clear best form; same mark today) on heavy in January 2023; well-beaten third under 7lb claimer in last season's Welsh National and needs better than anything he produced in that campaign even though he's 8lb below his career-high mark.
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5
|
|
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14/1
16/1
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|
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14/1
|
SP
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Spotlight :
6yo who was sent chasing in May and is now 2-9 in this sphere after coming from mid-division to take the 18-runner Troytown at Navan (3m, yielding; acts on heavy) nearly six weeks ago, racing wide throughout; that looked a strong-staying, sound-jumping performance (he also won a 3m2f novice at Sligo) and he commands major respect despite today's need for a career best.
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8
|
|
|
14/1
16/1
|
|
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14/1
|
SP
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Spotlight :
Only one win from 13 starts as a chaser, so the chances are that he will come up a bit short once again; however, the win (March 2023) was over 3m7f and the last two of his eight seconds over fences came on soft ground at Punchestown (3m7f; pipped) this May and Kelso (4m Borders National; first-time cheekpieces) 19 days ago; there's no doubting his stamina.
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9
|
|
|
12/1
|
|
|
14/1
|
SP
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Spotlight :
9yo who ran over fences for the first time since 2022 when winning an 18-runner race at Cheltenham (3m1f) on reappearance in October; good fourth over that same C&D next time and respectable fifth there two weeks ago; stays 3m2f but a bit below form in March 2022 when he attempted 3m5f.
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13
|
|
|
14/1
16/1
|
|
|
14/1
|
SP
|
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Spotlight :
Ended last season in excellent form on heavy ground in blinkers, winning twice over 3m1f at Wincanton before drawing 6l clear over an extended 3m6f at Exeter; should have come on markedly since October reappearance and this is only his second run over a marathon trip; could have more to offer, though seemingly the deeper the ground the better it is for him.
|
12
|
|
|
66/1
80/1
|
|
|
100/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
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Spotlight :
Veteran who's been pulled up in six of his last seven races, in this contest last year on first occasion (50-1); the exception was over 3m4f at Ffos Las in May and his last four wins have now been over that C&D in spring 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; probably best watched at this juncture.
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16
|
|
|
100/1
125/1
|
|
|
100/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Spotlight :
Six wins over about 2m7f-3m last term, including on this card on fifth occasion and back at Chepstow for final win (career-best form); all those were over hurdles, however, and although he had plenty of success in points leading into that, his chase career under rules had previously gone the wrong way; tailed off on hurdle reappearance two months ago; more to prove at this trip and 4lb out of handicap.
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1/5 Odds 5
Places
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