The two veterans at the top of the racecard, Topofthecotswolds (second choice) and Cracking Destiny, both showed some signs of life on their latest appearances and remain very well handicapped, while chasing debutant Instinct d'Ainay is very unexposed. However, the one with least to prove is PURE SURF, who has her limitations but has posted two good efforts under Pippa Brown this month.[Chris Wilson]
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Useful over several seasons when trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies; signed off for him with some below-par runs in the autumn and made low-key start for new stable this year but significant positives can be drawn from his run in refitted cheekpieces at Sedgefield (3m2f, good) last month and he has possibilities here if combination of drop back in trip and first-time visor pays dividends.
Useful in his prime but long in the tooth now and this season has been disappointing; travelled well to a point in first-time cheekpieces at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft) in December but didn't find much when the chips were down; no headgear today; needs four-month break to have done him good.
Showed nothing more than minor promise when beaten 30l+ in three maiden/novice hurdles (2m-2m4f) during the winter and seems rather harshly treated for this handicap debut but, nevetheless, he's open to significant improvement if he takes well to fences.
Ended last season with a course win (2m1f, soft) and will be fine over today's longer trip but has been badly out of form this term and seems best suited by soft ground.
0-16 over fences; went close off much reduced mark at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in February and has claims here if judged on that form but didn't fire at Hexham last month.
Stayed on well to win in today's headgear combination at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in January, his second run after a long layoff, but two very poor performances have followed and he has a lot to prove all of a sudden.
Held on well to beat three rivals under Pippa Brown at Newcastle (2m4f, good) this month, her eighth start over fences, and ran at least as well when close second at Sedgefield (2m3f, good) six days later; evidently in very good nick; might be the answer.
Gave good account before weakening into fourth of 15 at Carlisle (3m, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in February and was again running well before penultimate-fence fall at Newcastle (2m4f, good) last month but his latest run was a backward step and he's 3lb wrong here.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
