The most solid options appear to be IKARAK (2-2 over hurdles for this yard) and Guard The Moon, but with Firestream (second choice) still looking unexposed and promising after winning over 2m4f on his first run for 718 days. Maximilian now bids to pull off a similar trick, having been a leading novice two seasons back. Watch out also for a possible revival from Minella Missile.[Richard Austen]
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One of the top staying novices of the 2022-23 season, getting the better of Stay Away Fay on last two starts and that rival took the Grade 1 Cheltenham novice in between; however, missed last season ("with a knock") and has been off for 680 days, so there might be a question over his readiness despite the Cheltenham Grade 1 Stayers' entry; market should give clues.
Usually claimer ridden; the last of her ten wins was in August 2022; still shows plenty on occasions, including when seventh in the Pertemps Final last March and a close second back at Cheltenham (2m4f) on penultimate outing; she performed far worse in the Musselburgh qualifier three weeks ago than she did last year, however, which sees cheekpieces enlisted.
Grade 1 Stayers' entry; truncated 2023-24 campaign featured a 2m5f Grade 2 novice win; not disgraced on Windsor reappearance (3m) after 429 days off; showing a bit more would have been preferable on latest outing (two weeks ago, soon struggling) but that was a top 2m handicap at Newbury and this may be more his thing.
Ended a golden spell in 2021 with 2m4f Grade 2 novice win for Tom Lacey; absent 1066 days before this season and although he showed up well in this winter's two handicaps (3m/2m7f) he did not see the trip out as well as three others on either occasion; has unchanged mark.
Won handicap debut at Warwick (2m5f) in October; progressed again when second since at Aintree (3m) and Newbury (2m4f) and while all those improved efforts were on good or good to soft, he won bumpers in the mud and was placed in it over hurdles; considered.
A promising novice two seasons ago and he returned from 718 days off to win handicap debut at Wincanton (2m4f, good to soft) last month, despite some awkward jumping; up 6lb and in trip but surely still has potential.
Useful at his peak and still versatile last term, winning over 1m7f (heavy) and 3m1f (soft); however, backward steps on last two starts and he's now a 12yo returning from 315 days off.
Won maiden hurdle at Limerick (2m3f, heavy) last March for Gordon Elliott and second of four at Down Royal (3m, good) in May; below form in his two races for new stable, making handicap debut over 3m1f on latest, and has since had wind surgery; also now tongue tied first time.
There have been far too many heavy defeats for comfort but he won at Uttoxeter (2m7f, soft) in November and was second under Benjamin Macey at Catterick (3m1f, soft) on latest outing, so can't be ruled out.
Too many jumping errors when back over fences on penultimate outing; 4-12 overall as a hurdler but scored at Warwick (3m1f) on both his starts in this sphere for current yard; back up another 4lb but looks set for another prominent finish.
Six wins over about 2m7f-3m in a long campaign last term and the final one was career-best form in this race (heavy); out of form this season, admittedly in the Welsh National on second occasion but pulled up over hurdles at Ffos Las latest; 4lb higher than in this last year.
Irish maiden point winner (3m, soft) who took a maiden at Southwell (2m4f, soft) last March on first attempt over hurdles; however, heavy defeat when 4-7 in novice at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in October was a lacklustre start to this campaign and his handicap debut over C&D (18-1, only time in a hood) at Christmas was a good deal worse; early days admittedly.
Now 3lb lower than for Ffos Las win (3m, heavy) in December 2023 but this season was a major struggle even before he clipped heels and fell early on latest outing; overall score is 2-40, with 32 of those races over hurdles.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
