Several to consider in an interesting race. KNOCKNAGAPPAGH may have finally got off the mark at Leicester last month but for a bad mistake at the final fence and is taken to make amends on her third outing for Stuart Edmunds. The step back up in trip looks the right move for Get Cracking on his second chase start and he may be the chief threat ahead of point runner-up Express Surprise, who could improve now tackling fences. Brother Boris, Pearl Island and Celtic Fortune all arrive on the back of positive performances.[Ben Hutton]
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Close fourth at Hereford (3m1f, good) in November on second chase start and a case can be made on that form; however, pulled up at Market Rasen 15 days later when perhaps the soft going wasn't ideal; has to bounce back.
Very lightly raced 6yo who produced an improved performance in first-time cheekpieces (retained) when 7l second at Fakenham (2m5f, good to soft) three weeks ago on his second chase start; his pedigree indicates this step up in trip can prompt further progress and he's on the shortlist.
Left last month's chase debut miles behind to win in first-time blinkers at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) last time, from a progressive runner-up; just 3lb higher today and strong claims if the blinkers maintain their effect.
9yo who is a longstanding maiden but she may well have got off the mark at Leicester (2m4f, soft) last time but for a bad mistake at the final fence; has also run well over staying trips; last time was just her second run for this yard and could make amends today off the same mark.
Suited by the switch to fences when 5l fifth on last month's handicap debut at Hereford (2m5f, good to soft); he showed promise in point-to-points at up to 3m (including on soft ground) and shaped last time as though today's step back up in trip will be a positive; firmly in calculations.
Remains a maiden and needs to prove he can get the job done but he's often run well, as when a close second at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) last month on his second chase start; could be bang there; first-time blinkers replace cheekpieces.
Made it 2-4 over fences when beating 12 rivals to win in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Hereford (2m5f, good to soft) last month; unproven at this trip and very disappointing at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) eight days later, but that run may have come too soon and he retains potential.
Hasn't run badly when sixth over fences the last twice (3m1f/3m, good to soft/soft) and he continues to edge down the weights, but he's now 0-12 under rules and needs something extra in the first-time cheekpieces.
0-8 under rules but he's finished placed in handicap hurdles on two of his last three starts and this 3m point runner-up could improve for the step up in trip on today's chase debut; only six; possible contender.
He showed very little last year on his three hurdle starts (2m/2m4f); however, he has a lowly opening mark and finished third on four occasions in 3m point-to-points, so is a possible improver now up in trip on chase debut.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
