The 2023 winner Sabbathical defends an unbeaten course record and is well treated again but he may have to give best to two up-and-coming mares MY PORTIA and Orbys River who took the first two places at Market Rasen recently. The former won in good style that day and has further potential off this mark but Orbys River, herself impressive at Ayr previously, might be better for a longer break between races this time and is not passed over lightly. Chase debutant Gwennie May Jem is also considered.[Emily Weber]
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Ended most recent campaign with a fifth chase win, in April 2023; well held over hurdles since back from an absence but his recent Sedgefield chase second for Osian Radford was encouraging; has won both course starts, over hurdles (2m4f, heavy) and this race in 2023; solid player.
Maiden who has run right up to his best in both runs at Leicester and is much lower in the weights than when close up over C&D (soft) last January; can go well fresh but he didn't at Market Rasen last month; revival still possible back here.
Two chase wins wins at 2m1f (good to soft and soft) in early 2024; back on latest winning mark as a result of some lesser efforts, in cheekpieces last twice, but has something to prove at present.
Multiple chase winner who made it three for the year at Southwell (2m, good to soft) in December; hasn't run to the same level since, a recent second at Huntingdon being a remote one, and others further up the list.
Benefited greatly from a break in the second half of 2024 and she ran a blinder from out of the weights against one who was way ahead of his mark over C&D (soft) in December; impressive winner from Orbys River at Market Rasen (2m1f, good to soft) since and a 9lb higher mark is not exorbitant; yard won this in 2022.
Never seriously tackled on first chase completion at Ayr (2m, soft) last month but, under a penalty, she was no match for My Portia at Market Rasen since; up further 3lb but has a longer break between races this time; another with potential.
Narrow chase win over 2m1f at Bangor (heavy) last February; has been off and had wind surgery since well beaten over hurdles that April; this is a warm race for the grade.
Maiden hurdler who has been running well in defeat since back from a break in October but he's been on much the same mark for the last 12 months and needs improvement on chase debut.
Two creditable runs off this mark in handicap hurdles over 2m and 2m3f; still early days but more needed on chase debut, especially in this competitive a race.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
