A back-to-form Mostly Sunny danced clear from a Mullins raider at Plumpton on Monday but may well find that JUMP ALLEN (nap), one of today's Mullins-trained adversaries, proves too strong for him. The selection was eclipsed over 3m at Ayr two weeks ago but still looked promising. Ike Sport won stylishly in a 17-runner renewal of this race last year and Peacenik (second choice) is an interesting dark horse on his handicap debut, albeit facing very different ground.[Richard Austen]
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Free-going sort and that seemed to cost him in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham (2m5f) on his only run beyond 2m1f; sixth of 12 in hot 2m race at Ayr two weeks ago was as good as any of his form, which showed that better is needed, but Paul Townend nevertheless takes the ride.
Safely held in two major handicaps since winning comfortably on stable debut at Fairyhouse (3m, yielding to soft) in January; back in calmer waters and good ground should be fine, but there remains plenty to be proved off this sort of mark.
Creditable sixth in big-field handicaps at the Cheltenham (extended 2m4f) and Aintree (3m) festivals on his last two outings; he needs to find extra, however, and this test may well be on the sharp side.
Seventh attempt to get off the mark over hurdles when scoring in a big-field Limerick maiden (2m3f, soft) last month; creditable front-running second in novice at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) ten days ago and looks a reliable sort, but this handicap debut demands more from him.
Maiden and novice winner as a hurdler; cut little ice on last month's handicap debut at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f; 33-1 off 2lb higher) but seems versatile regarding ground and may still have potential.
Picked up well to make a successful handicap debut at Naas (2m3f, soft) in March, justifying favouritism in 16-runner race; good second of five at Ayr (3m, good to soft) two weeks ago and this step back down in trip may help with further progress; promising.
Three wins last term, most notably in this race (good) and he did that in good style off 4lb lower than today; less reliable this season but never-nearer fifth of 20 at Aintree (2m4f; hooded first time) on latest start was a hint that he could be a player in this race for the second year running.
Has run in two bumpers and four hurdle races, all on soft or heavy; won a novice at Exeter (2m) on New Year's Day and creditable places on both starts since, albeit put firmly in his place last time despite starting 4-7; this new trip for handicap debut is interesting and, notwithstanding the very different ground, he needs a second look.
Had been languishing this season prior to winning a ten-runner novice handicap at Plumpton (extended 2m4f, good) on Monday, leading before the final flight and going nearly 5l clear; has 6lb penalty but firmly back in serious calculations.
In good form last August/September, winning twice on good or firmer; tongue-tie returned when back near that level at Haydock (1m7f, good) one week ago, finishing strongly from the rear for second of seven; back up 3lb and needs a career-best, with a question to answer regarding stamina.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
