It's a hard choice in this promising line-up but OLD COWBOY could be the way to go. He shaped well here on his hurdle debut and although he took his time to build on that, a wide-margin win in a small field at Plumpton 12 days ago suggests he is now heading the right way again. Glynn Brae and Serious Challenge have proven class among the top weights, while Calimystic (second choice) has looked promising with a similar trip and ground at Doncaster, where Norn Iron didn't get much luck last time.[Richard Austen]
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Irish bumper winner whose only setback in Britain came when failing to give his running at Aintree (2m4f, good) in November; wide-margin wins when odds-on at Fontwell (about 2m2f, soft) on last two outings took his hurdles score to 3-5; this handicap debut is a much more competitive race and all his success has been on soft or heavy ground but he's a very useful prospect.
4-8 on the Flat in Germany, the last three wins over 1m4f; easy wins at Taunton (2m3f/2m, good to firm/good) on his first two starts over hurdles but he was put firmly in his place in a Listed contest at Exeter (2m, good to soft) six weeks ago; needs major improvement on this handicap hurdle debut.
Very useful middle-distance stayer on the Flat for Jim Bolger, best efforts on good or yielding ground; pulled hard on hurdles debut but has since won a maiden at Plumpton (2m4f, soft) and novice at Ayr (2m, heavy; by 9l); helped set the pace for both those wins; this is a much stiffer task but he has clear potential.
Two falls early in career; flopped when hot favourite for handicap debut at Haydock (2m, soft) in January but he won a maiden at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) and handicap at Hereford (2m4f, good to soft; 5lb higher today) either side of that; rallied powerfully to lead on the post last time and this shorter trip may not be ideal but he could still be capable of better.
Started his rules career with third of 13 at this track (2m, soft) in January; well beaten on next two starts but he returned to form with runaway win in five-runner novice at Plumpton (2m5f, good; from Mullins-trained 1-8 shot) 12 days ago, which makes him of renewed interest.
Won bumper in sole Irish start; steady progress in his first three hurdle races brought two wins, making all at Fontwell (2m2f, soft) on last occasion, but he made a disappointing handicap debut at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) on latest outing.
Runner-up on good to soft on first two starts over hurdles, before easily going one better at Doncaster (extended 2m3f, good) one month ago; has a useful pedigree and should still be capable of better moving into handicaps.
Fell on penultimate start and finished second in four of the other five, all over hurdles (including on good); made most last time and looks worth going beyond 2m1f for the first time on this handicap debut.
Won a good-ground bumper in November last season and a novice at Taunton (2m, good to soft) one year later on his second start over hurdles; turned over when 4-6 back at Taunton (2m3f, good to soft) in December but he mostly jumped better and it was creditable form; needs extra for this handicap debut but early days and he has first-time cheekpieces.
0-5; runner-up on first two starts after a long absence, latterly on handicap debut here (2m, soft) and that form reads well; 11-8 favourite when only fourth of ten at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) three weeks ago but half the hurdles were omitted and he did not get run of the race from off the pace; new trip makes some appeal and he's not discounted.
Both wins were over the extended 2m2f on good ground at Stratford last summer, latterly on handicap debut; tailed off in August and not seen since; this is a tough assignment in which to resume the improvement that's needed, but drying ground is no bother.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
