The way in which HENRI THE SECOND (nap) bounded clear on the heavy ground over C&D last time makes him the one to beat, despite today's revised mark and move back up in class. That was his first attempt at this sort of trip and he could not have taken to it much better. Gaye Legacy looked so well suited to a right slog last season that she is second on the list, even though it's her first run this term and she's out of the handicap. Most have shown something to recommend them this winter, most notably perhaps Dartmoor Pirate, Red Dirt Road and Shoot First.[Richard Austen]
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Very lightly raced for his age and took his form to a new level when winning valuable handicap at Haydock (3m, soft; up 6lb today) in November under 5lb claimer; found an Ascot Grade 1 far too tough six weeks ago but could have more to offer for his shrewd Irish stable now he's back in a handicap.
One of the game's great enigmas, who seems to have settled at just a useful level nowadays; won novice chase last March; showed little when 33-1 back in a handicap hurdle at Ascot two weeks ago on first run since; today's ground is probably more his thing and he came up with a big run in 2022 on one of only two attempts at this sort of trip, but he's not the percentage call.
Absent 568 days before this season and he's very lightly raced; back to his best when making all at Aintree (2m4f, soft; up 5lb today) on second run back and the style of that win in the fog appeared to augur well for longer trips; that's backed up by a 2m5f performance in 2023; interesting.
Took a Grade 2 novice here (soft) in 2022 and stormed home well clear when upped to this trip for a handicap back at Sandown (heavy) in December this term; the second and third from that latest race won next time; back up 8lb but may well face similar ground and has good chance to follow up.
Has never tried this sort of trip with heavy ground but it could help; however, pulled up in this race in 2023 on his only visit to Sandown, went off the boil last January-May and although there's been a partial revival since, he needs better to take this warm race; 5lb claimer enlisted.
Ex-Irish and ex-French; four runs for new stable, confirming he stays 3m with a bold show at Windsor (soft) 13 days ago but three rivals went past him late on; vulnerable again unless he finds a bit extra.
Prolific from December 2023 to October 2024, mostly over this sort of trip on soft or heavy; he tailed off in the fog when back up in trip at Chepstow five weeks ago but needs a market check.
All starts on soft or good to soft; staying-on fourth in the EBF Final at Sandown (2m4f) last March; couldn't get to the winner when returned to hurdling at Wincanton (upped to 3m1f, good to soft) on Boxing Day but he beat the other eight and stamina looked his strength; 3lb higher today but may well have more to offer as a stayer.
Scored twice over fences early last year (once on heavy); 0-10 over hurdles but runner-up in eight of those, including at Warwick (3m2f, soft) on latest start when he blundered at the final flight but looked booked for second anyway; this race looks too tough.
Unraced on heavy under rules; given wind surgery in September and has had three races since, creditable third on soft over 2m7f/3m on last two occasions and he passed four rivals in the closing stages at Cheltenham latest (finished just behind Idefix De Ciergues); tongue tied that day and now tries cheekpieces as well; they need to prompt a career best.
Odds-on second in his only race on heavy; claimer ridden when registering the first wins of his career at Chepstow (chase) and Doncaster (hurdle race) in November; creditable second at Cheltenham (3m, soft) one month ago, just in front of What A Johnny, but needs to raise his game again.
Thorough stayer who had a very solid campaign last season, nearly all in handicaps, and a right slog in the mud should be right up her street if she's fit enough for this reappearance; upped in class and 3lb out of the handicap but she's one to consider.
Campaigned in France from June 2022 to November 2023 by Sophie Leech and was almost as good as ever in spring 2023; however, well beaten twice that autumn, including in a Grade 1 on a rare appearance over 3m, and tailed off at 66-1 under this 7lb-claiming amateur Roisin Leech when next seen for new yard five weeks ago; 4lb out of the handicap.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
