Some will want to give Ghost Hunter the benefit of the doubt with cheekpieces newly fitted, whilst the stiffer course rates a plus for the stamina-imbued Isle Of Gold. MYTHE BRIDGE recorded a major personal best when second at Market Rasen last time, however, form franked by the winner. Gats And Co's course record demands he's considered, if perhaps place only off his revised mark, so the still well-treated Musical Slave appeals more as next best. [Jeremy Grayson]
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Stamina to spare at this trip as a winner at up to 3m5f, but hard to place maximum faith in one with three wins and five pulled ups from their last eight starts, and genuinely good ground would ask a new question.
Record of 11142P1 here includes a Dunraven Bowl first and second and (latest) a cosy win over 3m6.5f (good; Stellar Stream unseated when beaten); almost three years since he last defied this 9lb higher mark.
Cashed in on historically tiny marks for this season's Fontwell (3m2f) and Taunton (3m4.5f) successes, and remains competitively treated; found the funereal pace against him last time; no ground concerns.
6lb lower than for November's second over 2m3.5f here (good to soft), but beaten 27l and 56l despite making the podium the last twice; enough to prove right now and probably wouldn't want a dryout, either.
Effectiveness of wind surgery yet to be fully tested when running out five from home on last month's Southwell stable/chasing debut (3m, good), though his jumping hadn't fully convinced before that and the adding of headgear here makes sense; interesting to see if the money comes again.
From the family of Topsham Bay; shaped as if needing further when second on January's 3m1.5f Warwick handicap chase debut (good to soft; debuted cheekpieces retained), but remains to be seen whether today's test is exacting enough; improvement still probable after just five starts.
C&D second in January (heavy; Fortunefavorsdbold just behind) not far off the level of last year's Bangor success (3m6f), but unable to build on that in blinkers (retained) latest; winner on good in early 2023.
Her C&D third to Katate Dori (heavy) in January reads better form now than then, but she still had Stellar Stream in front of her and that rival is less dependent on a slow surface; poor the last twice.
Ran above a stiff-looking mark for February's Market Rasen chase debut second (3m1f, good to soft; winner went in again next time); 2lb rise and stronger company demands more, but it's still early days for him.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
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