Wide open. With his yard back in better form now, a chance is taken that PUSH TO PASS can run better than on his handicap debut. Von Hallers is still lightly raced and there's hope that she can improve for this longer distance, while the same is true of handicap debutant Bobby's Fortune.[Alistair Jones]
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Showed a bit in his qualifying runs but still proved easy to back on handicap debut at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft; 10-1) and never posed much of a threat; however, the stable's horses have turned a corner recently and may yet to better.
It was a modest bumper he won at Ludlow and it's been a modest return in three 2m novice hurdles; however, handicaps are now the right option and he's bred for this far.
Versatile as regards trip and ground so no worries on that score; however, diminishing returns since going close at Hereford in October and no real significance in the return of cheekpieces (tried a visor last time).
Five times runner-up over hurdles; confined to fences by current trainer, winning at Newton Abbot last May (2m5f, soft) and third of 15 here last time (2m3f); rated 5lb lower in this sphere so has to have some chance.
Won over hurdles and fences for Robert Walford; four starts for this yard, easily the best of them on his recent return from a long absence, finishing a 6l second over C&D on New Year's Day (soft); whether he builds on that remains to be seen but hard to rule out.
Her standout run this season was the runaway win at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) despite jumping out to her left, which she did again before stopping quickly at Uttoxeter; too up-and-down for comfort and this ground could be too soft for her.
Last win was off 18lb higher in March 2023; returns to a more suitable trip than the 3m last time but ran just the one race of any real note last year and he's an 11yo now.
Placed in his first two handicap hurdles but over 2m; 2m5f on soft ground didn't look an ideal fit last time at Fontwell; the same concerns apply here.
Winning for a second time here when keeping on over 2m2f in October when only 4lb lower; not quite at the same level in her two subsequent visits and finished weakly the final time over 2m5f (stays this far).
Made mistakes and was pulled up on chase/handicap debut last spring but put in good front-running shift when fifth on return to hurdling at Hereford (2m3f, good) in October; going further this time should be of benefit.
