Having beaten a pretty useful yardstick to win a maiden hurdle here in December, SMOKERINGINTHEDARK looks a very nice prospect and can make it 2-2 under rules. Intense Approach has won three of his last four starts and may be the main danger ahead of likeable types Bold Light and Joecooker.[Ben Hutton]
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7l wins on two of his last three starts, in a maiden at Kelso (2m, good to soft) and a handicap here (2m4f, soft); soundly beaten in Haydock 1m7f Grade 2 in between; finished second in a 3m point and trainer's horses often improve as they go up in trip; interesting contender.
On a hat-trick when runner-up in Grade 2 novice hurdle at Chepstow in October (2m3f, soft; beaten about 8l) and returned to winning ways at Cheltenham (3m, good) 15 days later; solid claims if returning from a 98-day break at the top of his game.
Two handicap wins in Ireland last year (2m/2m2f, yielding); has run pretty well when runner-up in novice hurdles on his three starts for this yard (1m7f-2m4f) but probably needs a bigger performance today and he's going into the unknown stamina-wise (not bred to stay).
Irish bumper winner (2m, good to yielding) who won a maiden hurdle at Hexham (2m4f, soft) in December on his third run for this yard; faces tougher opposition today but he impressed last time and has shown staying potential; possible player now up in trip.
Good-ground 3m point runner-up who beat a pretty useful yardstick to win a four-runner maiden on hurdle debut here (2m4f, good to soft) in December; today is a tougher test of his credentials but he's a useful prospect who could have lots more to offer.
Two-time bumper winner (good/good to soft) who made it 4-4 over hurdles (2m-2m4f, good) when comfortably winning Listed novice at Galway last July; not disgraced in a couple of Grade 2s at Cheltenham afterwards (2m/2m5f, good) but she was never going well when tailed off in Listed mares' hurdle at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December and needs to get back on track.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
