A few of these warrant consideration but the suggestion is GAVIN, who returned from a break with a good second on soft ground here last month and ought to be better suited by the much quicker conditions today. Handicap debutant Berkshire Lad is feared most but Jokers 'N' Clowns, John Betjeman and Opticality also make the shortlist.[Chris Wilson]
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Ex-Irish mare who came second in two good-ground maidens (2m5f/2m) for Billy Aprahamian last month and is probably on a workable mark for this handicap return/stable debut; each-way claims at least.
Three-time C&D winner who seemed to respond well to first-time visor when scoring at Newton Abbot (2m1f, heavy) last month; fully exposed after 50 hurdling starts but will be fine on today's faster ground and is evidently in good nick.
Came good over hurdles with clearcut win from off the pace at Hexham (2m, good to soft) in March, his eighth attempt, but was not seen to quite the same effect at Plumpton last month and his tendency to race too freely remains a worry.
Unexposed 5yo who shaped with significant promise when third in Southwell maiden (2m, good to soft) in February and can be excused his subsequent defeat on heavy ground; should have improvement to come in handicaps.
Lightly raced and generally disappointing since C&D (good to soft) win for Emma Lavelle in February 2023; outran 40-1 odds when third at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) in December but was quickly back in the doldrums on next outing; needs to have been refreshed by subsequent stable switch.
0-13 over hurdles but left inauspicious stable debut a long way behind when close fourth at Chepstow (2m3f, good) last month and may benefit from today's drop back in trip; no surprise if he features.
Ex-Irish maiden who finished last of six when 40-1 for last month's stable/handicap debut at Stratford (2m2f, good); that run came after a layoff, though, and she remains unexposed over hurdles; worth a glance in the betting.
Placed in Hereford maiden (2m, good) just under a year ago but subsequent handicap form has been underwhelming; unable to land a significant blow in today's headgear combination last month, after a layoff, and needs to have taken significant benefit from that outing.
Dual C&D winner on good ground in 2023; largely disappointing in 2024 but kept on well for clear second over C&D (soft) when back in action last month; remains well handicapped and ought to be better suited by today's faster ground; high on the list.
Placed twice on AW for new stable since the autumn and returned to hurdling with pretty good fourth of 14 at Taunton (2m, good) in March; not seen to same effect behind John Betjeman on heavy ground last month but is back on a sound surface here and enters calculations.
0-10 over hurdles; returned to form with creditable third in first-time cheekpieces at Hereford (2m, good) in March but was well below that level last month; others have more persuasive profiles.
Pulled up when 33-1 for handicap debut in November but her keeping-on third of six at Ludlow (2m, good) last month was much more encouraging and she could quite plausibly have more improvement to come.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )