While a sudden about-turn among the others can't be ruled out, the most persuasive claims from recent outings clearly belong to hat-trick seeking FILANDERER (nap). His most plausible rivals seem to be Flash Gorcombe, who was a runaway winner here on New Year's Day, and Time To Bite (second choice) who registered form figures of 1212 last February-June.[Richard Austen]
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2m4f Plumpton hurdles winner for previous stable last March; this season has not gone that well over fences, despite some minor honours and a falling mark, so others bring more pressing claims; 7lb claimer is recruited.
Appeared to take his form to a whole new level when making all to score by 16l in five-runner race here (2m3f, soft) on New Year's Day, his sixth chase success, but there have been two major backward steps since (here and at Taunton); 5lb higher than for that most recent win.
2m maiden winner for Gordon Elliott in November 2023; with this yard for the last five of his ten starts, with some hope renewed by latest performance (Fontwell 2m3f chase in December); another 3lb lower today.
Sole win (17 races) was at Taunton in April 2024 off 4lb higher; chasing for last four outings, third of the six runners on last two occasions but he was beaten 28l and 16l respectively; latest was in first-time cheekpieces; work to do.
0-7 over hurdles but he's 2-6 over fences after winning from the front at Market Rasen (2m4f, good) in October and Wincanton (2m4f, heavy) in January on his last two outings; back up another 5lb but he's been on an upward curve again and stands alone in that respect in this line-up.
The first of his three chase wins (from 24 races over fences) was at this track; has a cracking chance judged on his good form last May/June (2m5f, good) but he wasn't at the same level in his last four starts.
Two of his three chase wins were at this track but he has not scored anywhere since 2022; fairly lightly raced in that period, off 291 days before tailed off latest start; position 9lb out of the handicap is unhelpful.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )