This looks a right puzzle. Jazz King (second choice) is one of the clearly in-form candidates, as is Gold For Alec who might also find something thanks to today's step up in trip. Kintail catches the eye on his return from chasing but the vote goes to SALLEY GARDENS who can take his comeback to another level now that he is raised again in distance for an in-form stable.[Richard Austen]
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Won 1m2f maiden on soft in Ireland and two hurdle races (both on good to soft) for Fergal O'Brien last winter; made a satisfactory AW/stable debut on Flat (2m) in September but tailed off next time and had wind surgery later in November; needs improvement in this sphere but the new trip could be interesting.
Back to hurdling (from chasing) for last four starts and won under Murray Dodd at Hereford in November; they were beaten a nose at Wetherby (2m4f) on Boxing Day and he needs respect as an in-form candidate.
2m5f win at Kempton (soft) in February was last season's clear highlight; 6lb higher today and needs to resume in top form after 282 days off; stable has had recent jumps winners.
Won handicaps at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft) last January and Aintree (2m4f, good) last May; weakened late in both starts this winter and probably needs a career best to win this, but she should return to form before long.
Both wins (bumper and novice hurdle) have been at Warwick, where he was a creditable last of three in a 2m4f beginners' chase in November; soon fought a losing battle on latest start (handicap chase over nearly 3m) and now reverts to hurdling off what should be a competitive mark if he's on song.
Won at Hereford (2m3f, soft) last February on second handicap start; good third over that same C&D (good) in May is much the best of his three starts since, never dangerous under Benjamin Macey in big field at Ascot latest; possibilities if strong in the market.
Won at Uttoxeter in October on second start over hurdles; creditable fourth at Chepstow (again 2m on good to soft) but moving up to an extended 2m3f for handicap debut at Doncaster six weeks ago did not work out; early days and he needs to resume improvement.
515 days off before running creditably when claimer ridden over shorter trips on both starts this winter; peak efforts earlier in career were over 2m4f+, so he looks interesting back up in trip with cheekpieces used for first time this season; stable is going well too.
Had three wins two winters back in a basically solid campaign but ran creditably only once from three starts late in 2023; perhaps best watched on this return from 409 days off.
Lightly raced 8yo who won a Bangor novice hurdle (2m7f, good) and a Wetherby handicap chase (3m, soft) for previous yard in 2023; ended his time there on a low note and has not revived in two runs for new connections.
Second-season hurdler who's been progressive under a 7lb claimer on all three starts this term; off the mark at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft) on second occasion and third of 14 at Chepstow (2m, soft) on latest; this new trip now looks worth a go and he's one to consider seriously.
Easily won a bumper here (good) last April; way below that form at short odds in his three starts over hurdles, best of those on second attempt and perhaps soft ground was to blame when he flopped as favourite over C&D on handicap debut last time; interesting to see whether his backers return.
Two soft-ground wins in juvenile hurdles last winter; not that competitive sent handicapping for his five starts since; however, he was hampered when favourite on latest (Plumpton 2m4f) and is now 11lb lower than on handicap debut, having started off a tough mark; case can be made.
0-9 over hurdles before he won this autumn at Fontwell (extended 2m6f, soft) and Lingfield (2m7f, good); second over nearly 3m at Ascot on latest outing, continuing on his upward curve, but this is less of a stamina test and that is a nagging worry.
Ex-French maiden (nine races) who made the frame in his first two British starts but tailed off when 22-1 in a 2m handicap at Chepstow on latest; the step back up in trip (he tried 2m6f once in France) might help but he needs marked overall improvement and others have more pressing claims.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
