L'Eau du Sud and Only By Night are greatly respected on ratings but they look difficult to split on Arkle form and this rematch could go either way. KALIF DU BERLAIS is the strongest alternative given his strike-rate at this sort of distance and the possibility of further improvement.[Steve Boow]
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Record of 4-9 (hurdles/fences) for current yard, most recently scoring off a low weight in Class 2 handicap chase at Doncaster (2m, good); useful but faces a much stiffer assignment on these terms; would be receiving weight from all of his opponents if this were a handicap.
Seems versatile as regards ground; non-stayer over a testing 2m4f in the Scilly Isles at Sandown last time; has form figures of 111311 in completed starts at about 2m, the third-place finish in Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at this meeting last year; has proved ahead of his mark in two novice handicap chase wins, markedly so at Cheltenham on second occasion; interesting back down in trip, with a resumption of progress plausible.
Acts on any ground; useful handicap hurdler and an even better novice chaser, producing form figures of 11114 in this sphere; the only Grade 1 winner in this field, having beaten Touch Me Not in the Henry VIII at Sandown (1m7f, soft) in December, and most recently ran well in a thrilling Arkle where he wilted towards the finish having hit the front a tad sooner than Harry Skelton had planned (left in lead two out); major contender, provided he takes well to first-time cheekpieces.
Flat bred but took well to fences at Thurles (2m, good) two months ago, belying his 66-1 odds and finally adding to debut success in a bumper; upped sharply in grade for second chase attempt but may have more to offer in this sphere and is fresher than some of his rivals.
Grade 2 winner at Punchestown in November (2m, soft) then ran creditably in two Grade 1 contests, including at Sandown behind L'Eau du Sud; normally consistent but folded tamely and came home tailed-off last of five in the Arkle most recently; difficult to support on the back of that effort.
Seems versatile as regards ground; progressive mare whose record of 3-4 since switched to chasing features wins in Cork Grade 2 and Exeter Listed event, both against her own sex; belied her 25-1 odds with an excellent second in a dramatic Arkle at Cheltenham most recently, edging ahead and looking the likely winner on the run-in only to be collared by the fast-finishing winner close home; appears to have a Grade 1 prize in her.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
