Riskintheground has won notable prizes at Ayr and Cheltenham already this month for the Skeltons and he'll surely go very well again if those exertions have not taken any toll. Classic Anthem, however, could prove too hot for him to handle at the foot of the weights under the new champion jockey Sean Bowen, after dominating a C&D handicap last time out, and EYED might trump them both given the steady progress he's been making.[Richard Austen]
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Last season over hurdles ended on a low note at this meeting; solid for most of this term, switched to fences for last five starts and winning twice in small fields; put firmly in his place in Grade 1 novice events over 2m4f here in February and particularly at Aintree last time, but this return to a handicap will also demand a career best.
Two disappointing runs before he resumed improvement with an emphatic win at Musselburgh (2m4f) in February, for which he's 7lb higher today; not disgraced when 25-1 in mid-division at the Cheltenham Festival (near 2m5f, also on good to soft) and good ground should be fine; not dismissed.
Ex-French 6yo, somewhat frustrating in Britain before the blinkers went on for last four starts and he won twice over an extended 2m4f at Kempton (good ground the first time); pulled up over the big fences at Aintree on latest, which can probably be forgiven and he's still on a competitive mark.
Surged back to form, in fact never better, for wins over the extended 2m4f at Ayr (good to soft) and Cheltenham (good) five days later; came from off the pace in both and scored with rather more authority than the margin suggests last time, so he remains one to be seriously interested in (raised another 3lb) going for a hat-trick in space of just over two weeks.
New stable for last two starts and he won them both, from the front in small-field handicaps over an extended 2m6f at Leicester (good to soft) and Stratford (good); hit a new high last time, doing it comfortably off 3lb lower than today, and he's on a roll but this race is much more competitive.
Six seconds and one win, from 13 races; one of the seconds was over hurdles on this card (good) last year and he showed his best form with two more on soft ground over fences this winter; major downturn at the big Cheltenham and Ayr meetings on last two starts, however, which sees headgear enlisted.
Has raced only on softer than good; 2m3f hurdle winner in France in May 2023; minor honours in six of seven British starts, the exception when he bled here on penultimate outing; rallying third of 14 under Tom Broughton at Aintree (2m) latest and may now be worth this second attempt at about 2m4f.
Highly progressive for new yard this season, winning three times and better form when runner-up on last two outings; his last six have been at about 2m6f-3m and it's also a while since he raced on good ground; also edging up the weights but he still looks a leading contender.
Solid record at Sandown was enhanced when he scored in good style over C&D (good) seven weeks ago, leading three out to get off the mark as a chaser at the fifth attempt; 5lb rise may underestimate that and he could also be open to further improvement; big shout.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
