Cases can be made for all of these. The lightly raced 6yo course winner WAL BUCK'S has shaped as though he could be suited by this sort of test and he earns the vote ahead of Duke Of Deception, who was a good second at Warwick ten days ago. Regarde is an interesting contender now up in trip after wind surgery, while Saint Xavier likes it here.[Ben Hutton]
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12yo who has been pulled up on seven of his last nine starts; however, following a fourth wind operation he returned to form with a staying-on fifth at Newbury (3m2f, soft) recently and his last three wins have come over 3m4f on good ground; capable if building on his latest performance.
Won two in a row at the end of last year (3m1f/3m, good/soft); weakened over extended 3m5f at Bangor (soft) last month but he's worth another go at a marathon trip now back on better ground; possible player.
Pulled up at Exeter in December but he's had wind surgery since and was in good form previously, staying on well when first at Kempton (3m, good) then third at Ascot (3m, good); this step up in trip could be a positive move if he's back on song.
Returned to form with good second off this mark at Warwick (3m5f, good) ten days ago; he's inconsistent and this is a quick return to action, but he can be in the mix if reproducing that latest form.
Won easily here (extended 3m1f, soft) in December on fourth chase start and another good run when third of six at Uttoxeter (3m2f, good to soft) last time; also effective on good ground; this lightly raced 6yo could have untapped potential now tackling a marathon trip; firmly in calculations.
13yo who is very inconsistent nowadays and was well beaten at Lingfield last time; however, his last two wins have come here, the latest over C&D in December, and he could go well now back at Haydock.
1/1 Odds Place 1
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )