This looks good for GRENADIER JED (nap), who was an emphatic C&D winner on his recent handicap debut and may still have significant further improvement to come. Babatunde was safely held when dropped back to 2m3f at Chepstow recently but may yet build upon the promise he showed over 3m here two starts ago. Rip Wheeler and Colonel Whizz also have possibilities.[Chris Wilson]
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Unable to land a telling blow on recent handicap debut at Sandown (2m, soft) but kept on steadily from the rear to take fourth and may have a bigger run in him over today's longer trip.
Absent since his keeping-on third in Huntingdon handicap (2m3f, soft; first-time tongue-tie) last March but probably still has potential; contender if fully tuned up.
Perhaps a shade disappointing when dropped back to 2m3f at Chepstow recently but travelled strongly for a long way before weakening into third here (3m, good to soft) on last month's handicap debut and remains of interest.
Displayed big jolt of improvement on handicap debut 23 days ago, winning readily over C&D (soft); went up 8lb for that but could still have a lot more to offer; good chance.
Refused at third-last flight on hurdling debut in November and was a never-dangerous outsider on next two outings; moves up from 2m for this handicap debut; significant improvement required.
Irish raider; nothing better than a respectable fifth of 16 on last month's handicap debut at Gowran Park (2m, soft to heavy; first-time cheekpieces) but remains unexposed and is worth a glance in the betting.
Fair on the Flat; still unexposed over hurdles but was pulled up in recent Chepstow handicap, after a layoff, and needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing.
Won over fences at Warwick (2m4f, good) last spring and went close in a chase here (2m2f, good to soft) in November; below form at Exeter this month but reverts to hurdling on a tempting mark; could have a say.
Never looked dangerous when ridden very patiently at Lingfield last month and has now been unplaced all six hurdling starts; considered only if lively in the betting.
Fair on the Flat at his best but did not emerge from the rear division in his first three handicap hurdles (1m7f-2m3f) and needs to take a big step forward here.
Has a lowly mark for this handicap debut but showed nothing more than tiny glimmers of promise when a big-priced outsider for his three qualifying races (all 2m).
Gave good account when fourth of 17 at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) six weeks ago and has the services of Harry Cobden today but is 0-11 over hurdles now and others in the line-up have more potential.
Well beaten in both handicaps, more recently when last of 12 in C&D race won by Grenadier Jed this month; needs the new tongue-tie to aid massive improvement.
Arguably ran a bit better than eventual 22l defeat suggests when seventh over C&D on recent handicap debut and is 4lb lower today but clearly needs to improve.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
