Harry Derham's NO NO TANGO suffered a mishap at Haydock last month but he made all fairly comfortably on his seasonal/stable debut at Wincanton two starts ago and that form has been well advertised by the second and third since. He could quite plausibly have more improvement to come and is selected here. Imaginary Dragon has made a somewhat shaky start to his chasing career but can pose a potent threat if he gets into a better rhythm today. Bashers Reflection and Gallic Geordie are others to consider.[Chris Wilson]
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Signed off for Lucinda Russell with game C&D (soft) win on Boxing Day 2023 but has largely been disappointing for current stable; sliding down the weights but needs a revival.
Four hurdle wins (one here); not entirely convincing over fences this season (three attempts) but his third at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) two starts ago was a good effort; had wind op last month; a possible.
Not quite in peak form this season but managed a win at Newcastle (2m4f, good) two starts ago and wil be fine on the slower ground here; still on a workable mark; no surprise if he features.
Lightly raced for his age and produced career-best performance when making all on seasonal/stable debut at Wincanton (2m3f, soft) in December; fell mid-race at Haydock a fortnight ago but remains open to further progress for Harry Derham; must be considered.
2m6f hurdle winner last season; jumped slowly in early stages and was never a serious threat to the winner when second of four in Ayr chase (2m, soft) last month but today's longer trip ought to suit him better and he still has potential over fences.
Long in the tooth now but was not that far off his career-best form when third of six at Lingfield (2m4f, soft) in December, after a layoff; 2lb lower here and has a fighting chance if aided by combination of refitted tongue-tie and first-time cheekpieces.
Bought out of a selling hurdle last spring and has made the frame on all three starts for new stable, the last twice over fences this winter (2m5f/2m); considered each-way.
High-class hurdler in his prime but it's now over three years since his latest win; ended last season with some very respectable efforts and resumes on a tempting mark but younger rivals appeal more all the same; swaps blinkers for refitted cheekpieces.
Won three 2m4f chases last season and was close fourth of 11 on reappearance outing at Hexham (2m4f, good to soft) in October; below form at Ayr in November, though, and absent for another three months since.
Five-time chase winner, most recently off 10lb higher at Doncaster (3m, soft) last March; this C&D also suits but he looked out of sorts when last seen in the autumn and needs 74-day break to have done him good.
Gave good account when third at Haydock (2m4f, soft) last month but is effectively 6lb higher from further out of the weights here and appears to face a very tough task.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
