A strong field, in line with the prize-money on offer. Manxman has been supremely reliable and Charging Thunder has been clocking up his own fine sequence, but they might be eclipsed today by the two at the bottom of the weights. Caballo De Mar may be the more eyecatching of the two as he's on a five-timer and the last three of his wins were at this track. The extra 2f need not be a negative for him either but GIBSIDE chased him home with a promising effort last time and has already shown how well 2m suits him with an impressive win last October.[Richard Austen]
Watch Live UK & Irish Racing
Simply place a bet of £5 or more on
any UK or Irish race to watch the action live!
Dual AW winner late in 2023; won at Salisbury (1m6f, soft) on second start last term and ran well in 2m/2m4f fast-ground handicaps at top meetings last summer, before two creditable shows back on soft in October; readiness first time out might be an issue and he needs a market check.
Went close on sole AW start, on Polytrack in 2021; big chance on best 2023 efforts for Roger Varian but he did not shine last year (hurdles/Flat) for Emmet Mullins; off since August and this is his first run since a 8,500gns sale in September; visor replaces cheekpieces.
Unraced here but 6-15 on AW, with last two wins in December (2m); satisfactory reappearance in valuable event at Newcastle nine days ago, 4l behind Heathen but possibly better for the run; 7lb claimer is recruited.
Has done well on the Flat and over hurdles for his current yard, most recently with a C&D win in March and when beaten a head at Newbury (2m, good) 16 days ago; up another 2lb but has to be on the shortlist.
Made hay in 2023 and carried on the good work with better form in 2024, beaten a nose in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, soft) on final start; given another 4lb rise but he won over C&D last August, went close first time out last season and his stable is going great guns; highly respected.
All five of his wins have been on Tapeta at up to 1m6f, the latest in February; third on the valuable card at Newcastle (2m) nine days ago was career-best form and he has to be in serious calculations.
Slow starts have become a habit and he can look reluctant to race; he still won twice (1m4f in June and 1m6f in October) last season and took a few minor honours on the way, including over C&D (behind Manxman) on his only attempt at 2m; mood and fitness are questions but he's not totally dismissed.
Made the frame in two novice hurdles this winter for new yard after more than a year out; not seen on Flat since 2023 but she's on her last winning mark (2m2f here in December 2022) and is also well treated on 2023 form.
Ended last season with two wins and started this campaign with two more; last three of those were over 1m6f at this track and with something up his sleeve again last time, ahead of Gibside, for which he's gone up another 6lb but he's well worth this first crack at 2m; withdrawn (upset in the stalls) nine days ago; if all's well after that he should be a major player.
Reliable sort who signed off for 2024 with a taking win at York (second go at 2m) in October; resumed with excellent never-nearer second to Caballo De Mar here (1m6f) and could improve again now that he's back over 2m.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
