It wouldn't be a surprise to see a better effort from Pretending back up in trip, or from Mermaids Cave having flopped on heavy ground last time. However, this may again lie between a couple of unexposed old rivals. Just a head separated STAR WALKING and Game Colours at Wincanton last month and there shouldn't be much between the pair again on these terms, but the winner is taken to confirm the placings under Brian Hughes who has a good strike-rate for the yard.[David Bellingham]
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Completed a five-timer over hurdles (2m-2m4f) between the end of 2023 and last April and has continued to run well since; likely to try her best again, but is still 7lb above her last winning mark and may not want the ground to dry out any further.
Disappointed at Southwell (2m, soft) on New Year's Day, but the return to this trip is in her favour and drying ground not a problem; respected from just 2lb above her last winning mark.
Had no problem with the longer trip when third of 12 at Wincanton (2m5f, good) last time, but now 0-7 in handicaps and she will need to hit the ground running in order to take this after ten weeks off.
Irish point winner and bumper winner here (good) last April; had to battle hard to just get the better of Game Colours in a novice hurdle at Wincanton (2m5f, soft) last month, but still open to plenty more progress now handicapping; Brian Hughes 3-5 for the yard.
In the frame in both completed points and improving over hurdles, only going down by a head to Star Walking at Wincanton (2m5f, soft) last month; 1lb better off on handicap debut and there shouldn't be much between the pair again.
Disappointed in her next three starts after a promising hurdles debut but, having been off for 284 days, she got off the mark in a maiden here (2m, good to soft) last month despite racing too freely and not jumping fluently; still unexposed, but will need to settle better back up in trip.
Runner-up in a bumper and a hurdle at Wexford (2m4f, yielding to soft) last year, but made a low-key stable debut at Ffos Las (2m, soft) eight days ago; will need to improve for the return to this trip and the fitting of cheekpieces; yard triple-handed.
Bumper winner who is 0-8 over hurdles, albeit in the frame six times; better than her finishing position would suggest at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last month, but she still needs to find more to get her head in front; tongue-tie returns.
Won four of her first seven starts for this yard over hurdles last year, the latest at Bangor (2m4f, soft) in October; may have found the ground too testing when pulled up at Sandown (2m4f, heavy) last month and could bounce back.
Three-time winner over hurdles who has been running creditably on the AW lately, including a win at Wolverhampton in October; has been rated much higher over hurdles in the past, but looks vulnerable to an improver in this field.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
