C&D winner Twp Stori would be a player if rain arrived but otherwise DEAR RALPHY looks the one to beat, having finished first and second in two C&D starts on good ground and having also won on soft. It's possible to pick holes in the form of the only other previous C&D winner in the field, Tellairsue, but he still looks the main danger to the selection. Drumheller may improve now stepped up in trip on his handicap debut and he looks best of the others.[David Bellingham]
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Missed the whole of 2023 but she showed the ability remained when winning at Hereford (2m6f, good to soft) in February; 5lb higher now but more of a concern is the return to a longer trip.
Returns to hurdles after two ordinary efforts over fences; finished first and second in two starts over C&D (both on good; has won on soft) and although 5lb higher than for his success here last summer, he's still high on the list; stable also runs Ferret Jeeter.
Course winner (2m2f, heavy) but he stays this far, having only just been beaten over C&D and at Warwick (3m2f, good) this time last year; he hasn't been in much form lately, though.
1-15 in points and off the mark over hurdles when narrowly winning a five-runner event at Plumpton (3m1f, good; first two clear) this month; back up just 3lb but may be vulnerable to younger legs.
Went close here (2m6f, soft) in January but reportedly bled from the nose when pulled up last month and he didn't get home over a similar trip to this at Plumpton in between; stable also runs Endersen.
Won over C&D (heavy) just over a year ago and was also narrowly successful at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) in November; should appreciate the return to this sort of trip and a new headgear combination is given a go but he could do with rain.
Better efforts in finishing third at Southwell (2m4f/3m; good to soft) the last twice, though he will need to hurdle better than last time if he is to make an impression; cheekpieces given a go.
Showed some promise when second of six in a bumper here (good) in August 2022 but lightly raced since and has not finished within 48l of the winner in three goes over hurdles; needs the longer trip and switch to a handicap to make a big difference; market can guide.
Hinted at ability in points/hurdles early in his career but nothing much over hurdles and fences since then; cheekpieces removed after one use; hard to recommend.
Won a four-runner contest from 1lb higher over C&D two years ago and ran a subsequent winner to a length in another four-runner event at Ludlow (2m5f, good) this month; possible to pick holes in that form but he still has more going for him than many.
Put up one of her best performances when beaten a length into second of ten behind Dear Ralphy over C&D (good; 80-1) last summer; not very consistent, though, and has a nine-month absence to overcome.
16.5f AW winner for Sir Mark Prescott but poor form since joining this yard, including in five starts over hurdles; 8lb wrong back from another year off and impossible to fancy.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
