Lightningupourdays and Bucephalus look solid to run well, while Lively Citizen could have possibilities among the likely outsiders. However, preference is for the two handicap newcomers at the bottom of the card, with preference for the juvenile KNIGHT TEMPLAR who has clearly taken well to this discipline. They should both bring potential.[Richard Austen]
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Acts on soft; pulled up switched to fences on seasonal debut (bled from nose); consistent over hurdles last season but last of nine when returned to them at Taunton five weeks ago, so he's been under a cloud.
Heavy-ground juvenile hurdle winner at Chepstow in October last season and better form afterwards, including on first two starts this term; however, he is looking more exposed than some in this field, despite his age, and made a bad mistake before pulling up at Fakenham on latest outing.
Made the frame on all five starts before breaking his duck in clearcut style on handicap debut at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) five weeks ago; up 5lb but he's on an upward curve.
Fell at the first flight when back hurdling in December but made most when second at Chepstow (2m, soft) at Christmas, which was up with his best form; C&D winner last term on heavy and has each-way chance.
Has popped up with one win in each of the last five years, in 2024 taking a heavy-ground race at Ffos Las (3lb higher today) in March under Harry Atkins; ninth of 13 finishers when 125-1 at Cheltenham last month on second run this season but he actually showed a lot more than on reappearance and could be on his way back.
Well handicapped judged on best efforts, many of which came on heavy going; last showed that sort of form in October 2023; today's trip may well help following his fourth of eight at Haydock (2m3f) six weeks ago but he's now a 12yo and others are a bit more persuasive; often hooded but not today.
Acts on soft; won a bumper for Henry Daly and a maiden hurdle when with Olly Murphy; long absence before this season and second start back was a step in the right direction in a tongue-tie first time, which is retained today; others have more pressing claims, though.
Won a bumper on debut in November 2022; 0-8 since for Alan King and this doesn't look a great mark for his second handicap; needs improvement on this first run for new yard (same owners).
Two soft-ground wins in juvenile hurdles last winter, the first at this track; he's not been that competitive in his five handicaps since those wins, however; hampered when favourite on latest; started off a tough mark and is now 11lb lower.
Won in France in June 2022 in his third hurdle race (2m1f, soft); pulled up lame that October on sole run for Warren Greatrex and this is his first outing for 835 days; caution has to be advised.
Minor honours on varied ground for all three starts, off 530 days before his second of 13 in maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter (2m) in October; 11-8 favourite that day and it will be interesting to see whether his backers return, as he should bring potential to this handicap debut.
3-4 on Flat for this yard (1m4f-2m); running-on second at Huntingdon (2m, soft; jumped right) on hurdle debut and went one better at Kempton (2m, good to soft) in another juvenile contest over Christmas; reverts to going left-handed but should have more to offer on this handicap hurdle debut.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
