It would be no surprise to see a better effort from Colonel Whizz on his second start back from a year off, while Mach Ten has been running well enough lately to make him a contender. El Bandido Pancho has shown more than enough ability to win races but, despite a 7lb higher mark, MILITARY TYCOON (nap) is taken to follow up last month's Fontwell success. A couple of those behind him that day have already boosted the form.[David Bellingham]
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Placed in a bumper and in three of his six starts over hurdles; should be all the better for his return from a year off when a remote fourth of seven finishers at Taunton (2m3f, heavy) in February and this trip may prove ideal; respected in first-time cheekpieces.
Doncaster bumper winner for Hugo Palmer at the end of 2023, but disappointing over hurdles including in both handicaps since joining this yard; switch to a visor will need to make a big difference.
1m6f soft-ground Flat winner on his final start for Hugo Palmer and justifed market support when making it tenth-time lucky for this yard over hurdles at Fontwell (2m6f, good) last month (second and sixth won next time); up 7lb but still a major player.
Has shown some ability in bumpers and over hurdles, such as when sixth of 13 finishers on handicap debut at Warwick (2m3f, good to soft) in January; 2lb lower and cheekpieces are given a go over this longer trip, but she has a three-month absence to overcome.
Has shown little in bumpers/hurdles so far and was already on the retreat when unseating at Taunton (2m3f, heavy) last time (Colonel Whizz fourth); steps up again in trip; look elsewhere.
0-16 under rules; made an encouraging stable debut when third of ten at Ludlow (2m5f, good to soft) in November, but has gone backwards since, refusing to race and pulling up in her last two starts; wind surgery since last seen will need to have made big a difference.
0-13 under rules but ran with credit when in the frame off this mark on good ground at Taunton (2m3f) and Wincanton (2m4f; first-time visor) last month; wouldn't need to find much more in order to figure with a tongue-tie added.
Three-time winning pointer but 0-10 under rules, albeit placed in three of his five starts over hurdles including over C&D; something to prove starting out for another new trainer (same owner) after nine months off.
Just beaten in a bumper here for Nicky Henderson in May 2023, but was then off for 617 days; hasn't shown much over hurdles for this yard since returning and achieved little when last of three behind a 1-16 shot at Taunton (2m3f, heavy) in February; improvement needed up again in trip on handicap debut.
0-9 under rules; showed some ability in bumpers/hurdles at Exeter early last year, but well held in three starts since returning in December (cheekpieces made no difference last time); best watched up again in trip.
0-7 under rules but has shown ability, falling two out when in with every chance on handicap debut at Lingfield (2m3f, soft) in November and finishing well clear of the rest when second of eight at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) in February; up 3lb but still one for the shortlist.
0-6 under rules; best effort when third of eight on handicap debut at Fontwell (2m6f, soft) on his penultimate start, but still finished 18l behind the winner; more needed.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
