Further improvement from the lightly raced pair Gold For Alec (who's pretty much proved his stamina) and Saint Anapolino (who hasn't) could provide the winner but PUNCTUATION, who scored over 2m4f back in 2022, may well prove potent on his return to this sort of trip. His last two wins for Fergal O'Brien came in 2m Flat races, suggesting plenty of stamina, and last month's first run for Nicky Henderson was reasonably encouraging. Gold For Alec is second on the list.[Richard Austen]
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Nine hurdle wins, the latest when cruising clear in four-runner race over C&D (good) in November on second start for Olly Murphy; whether he's worth the 6lb rise to career-high mark is questionable, though, as shown at Doncaster ten weeks ago; 7lb claimer is recruited.
Looked very well suited by the step up to 3m when emphatic winner at Cheltenham (good) in November; creditable fourth there (good to soft) in December but below form at Musselburgh latest; steps back down in distance but it's also a step down from this season's Class 2 events.
344 days off before soundly beaten this season at Ascot in a novice handicap chase in November and handicap hurdle last Saturday; well handicapped were he to surge back to form.
5-15 over hurdles; won on the Flat last May on final start for Fergal O'Brien and made a respectable return to hurdling for new yard (remains with same owner) when next seen four weeks ago; stamina is not proven but two Flat wins over 2m suggest he should stay; one to consider.
Lengthy absence before this season, showing that he retains plenty of ability on first two starts back before well beaten at 33-1 in a hot race on latest; has a good record at Kempton and 7lb claimer is enlisted.
Won a maiden here in 2023; also made all for 8l win at Market Rasen (good) in October and perhaps not being able to lead helps to explain lesser shows in his other two handicaps, with a heavy defeat in valuable race at Windsor (soft) on latest; unraced beyond the extended 2m1f of that Market Rasen win but looks bred to stay.
Has won at this track; returns to hurdles following three races over fences, the latest when he appeared to stay an extended 2m4f (a marked step up in trip) at this track but that was good enough for only fifth of eight; others may be better handicapped.
Big improver graduating from bumpers to hurdle races this term, on last two starts winning a maiden at Exeter (extended 2m, soft) and 14-runner handicap at Taunton (2m1f, soft); up 5lb but may have had more in hand than the winning margin suggests last time, shaping also as if he'd stay further.
Bled from the nose in November after six-month break and also finished behind on both starts since; player if he reverts to the 2m4f form shown last spring but that was in cheekpieces, which were absent on last two outings.
Stays an extended 2m4f; pulled up (bled from nose) on reappearance on sole start over fences; consistent over hurdles last season but last of nine when returned to them at Taunton in December and he was well held in a weakening fifth when he fell at the final flight at Newbury on latest outing.
Won two handicap hurdles in 2023 and two 2m4f chases last spring; ran creditably in three of her four races this autumn/winter, including when upped to 3m at Huntingdon last time on her return to hurdling; place chance.
Progressing well in this second season, winning two of his four handicaps and placed in the others; both wins were at Huntingdon, drawing 6l clear in 14-runner race last time when upped from 2m to an extended 2m4f; 9lb rise in a higher class demands better still but he's heading the right way.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
