It's slightly worrying that FRERO BANBOU has been so hard to place in recent times but he showed plenty of zest and a will to win when finding life easier on the step up to nearly 3m at Newcastle recently. He still looks well treated despite going back up 7lb. Dreaming Blue is making stately progress through the ranks and is next best, although Highstakesplayer and Slipway have possibilities on their C&D form.[Emily Weber]
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Excellent stayer who ran very well over this C&D in early 2022 but the days of him being suited by a sharp 3m are likely to be behind him now; has been keeping a low profile this winter and, although temptingly weighted now, he will be of more interest back up in trip when his regular tongue-tie/cheekpieces combination is refitted.
Five chase wins at up to 3m2f on good to soft and soft and probably not weighted out of it despite taking a hit in the weights for a barnstorming win at Market Rasen (2m3f) in April; a recent effort behind Frero Banbou at Newcastle, where he was toiling when unseating three out, does give pause for thought, though, and conditions may well be quicker than ideal today.
Winner of both his C&D starts (on soft and good), most recently in April, and he lost nothing in defeat when runner-up at Ascot (3m, good) in November to one with Gold Cup aspirations at the time; somewhat disappointing at Newbury since but his C&D record is not to be sniffed at.
Had more troughs than peaks but he's useful at his best and impressed when beating a fair yardstick in sole C&D start, on good to soft in April; however, it's hard to count on a good run after some lesser efforts since, even allowing for the return to this C&D being in his favour.
Can lead; has never been prolific in Britain but dropped a long way in the weights by the time the step up in trip did the trick at Newcastle (extended 2m7f, good; handles all ground) four weeks ago; back up 7lb (goes up a further 1lb in future) but he's still well treated on past form and has a good chance of purloining another nice prize for yard that won this in 2020.
Had a good win over the extended 2m4f on this track (soft) in February but he was pulled up in his only run (2m6f) beyond that trip and he rarely runs two races alike; perhaps this second run back from wind surgery will see more from him, but couldn't count on it.
Capable at 3m off higher marks than today's in his prime and he set out for this yard with a close second at Wincanton (3m2f, good) in October; however, he was much less convincing at Cheltenham next time and others are easily preferred.
Now 0-8 over fences but he's shown enough, both over 3m last winter and at Cheltenham (2m4f, good; first-time cheekpieces, retained) in October on his second start for this yard, to put him in this picture; pulled up in a strong handicap at Cheltenham last time but this is more his level.
Two 3m1f hurdle wins last midwinter but he's not the most predictable and can look an awkward ride; has shown promise over fences this season but he was pulled up at Cheltenham (in first-time cheekpieces; now replaced with blinkers) 13 days ago; no solid option.
His progress over fences has been steady rather than dynamic but he won the final two starts of his spring campaign and the return to a staying trip worked well when making all at Ludlow (3m1f, good to soft; has won on good) recently; up 3lb in a better race but can continue to inch higher.
Had a long spell of mediocre results but he's much better handicapped now and his recent run behind Dreaming Blue at Ludlow (3m1f, good to soft) showed he was turning a corner for his new yard; needs more but he could be just at the start of a comeback; not dismissed.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
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