Bumpy Evans (second choice) and Another Lord ended last season in winning form but the former contests a stronger race today and the latter needs to prove he's fully effective on good ground. Perhaps the answer will be chasing debutant THE DARK EDGE, who doubled his hurdling tally two starts ago and was one of two to pull a long way clear of the others when second on his latest outing.[Chris Wilson]
Watch Live UK & Irish Racing
Simply place a bet of £5 or more on
any UK or Irish race to watch the action live!
Yet to build upon last spring's maiden hurdle win and was safely held in two handicap chases (3m/2m4f) towards end of last season; will appreciate this slight ease in grade, though, and might be perked up by first-time cheekpieces.
Started off for Kerry Lee with two pretty good thirds in early part of last season, the latter over C&D on good ground, but was pulled up in refitted cheekpieces (retained) on next two outings and it's hard to know what to expect from him after a 200-day absence.
Ended last season in very good form over hurdles, winning at Warwick (3m2f, good) before clear second at Huntingdon (3m1f, good); contender if he jumps soundly on this chasing debut.
Has taken pretty well to fences this year and drew nicely clear to score at Ffos Las (3m, soft) last month; went up 9lb for that and may not be ideally suited by the quicker ground here but still respected.
Won over hurdles last year and ran big race when second over C&D (good; first-time blinkers) on last month's chasing debut; however, this quirky mare didn't appear to be helping her jockey much in the closing stages and always comes with risk attached.
Came good over fences at third attempt, at Chepstow (2m3f, good) in March, and both subsequent runs (2m4f/2m5f) were perfectly respectable; well worth another crack at 3m and probably won't be far away.
Dual chase winner towards end of last season; had to dig pretty deep to reel in lowly rated 12yo at Ffos Las (2m3f, good to soft) on latter occasion but remains lightly raced under rules and ought to be suited by today's step up in trip.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )