This can go to four-time course winner WELL EDUCATED (nap), who shaped with more promise than his finishing position suggests when returning from a break in a valuable series final last month and is now well handicapped on some of last year's form. Handicap debutant Smokeringinthedark is the one with considerable potential but both runs since his winning hurdle debut have been underwhelming and it's hard to know what to expect from him here. A bigger threat to the selection may come from Moon Chime.[Chris Wilson]
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Six-time hurdle winner (once over C&D) on soft/heavy ground; returned from break with very respectable third at Newcastle (2m1f, good to soft) in February but his run on good ground there (2m4f) in March was disappointing and he remains on a fairly tough mark.
Took form to whole new level with emphatic 9l success at Stratford (2m, good to soft) in March, his third handicap, and was unlucky to be brought down in early stages at last month's Aintree festival; may yet have a bigger run in him; likely contender.
Kept on too strongly for a subsequent Grade 2 winner on hurdling debut at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in December but his 3m run in February was a shade disappointing and he was turned over at skinny odds when dropped to 2m1f in March; could still have have significant potential but makes handicap debut with a point to prove.
Did well for new stable last season, winning twice over 2m4f on good ground at Perth; not sure to be ideally suited by this C&D on first start since December, though, and current mark probably demands a career best.
Made smooth headway before asserting at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in March, his fourth start for Lucinda Hughes, and is probably still on a workable mark but he's not straightforward and was safely held at Perth nine days ago; others look less risky.
Won over 2m4f here (good) just under a year ago and followed up in Class 2 race at Kelso (2m, good to soft) a few days later; seemingly in the grip of the handicapper afterwards but ran well to a point in valuable series final last month, after a layoff, and is back down to a good mark now.
Won over C&D as a juvenile hurdler in 2023 and returns here after pretty good third at Carlisle (2m3f, good) last month but looks a shade vulnerable from 5lb out of the handicap today.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
