Just Dottie is on a C&D hat-trick and has very obvious claims but strong traveller SIMPLE STAR looked suited by the switch to very positive tactics at Kelso a fortnight ago, where he had most of the field in trouble before succumbing only to a useful Irish raider. From a 3lb lower mark, he could be hard to catch in this lower-grade race and is selected to record a second C&D success. The Last Cloud and Cuban Cigar are others to consider.[Chris Wilson]
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Back from break with two C&D wins (good to soft/good) this spring, latterly when too strong for Mack The Man in higher-grade race; raised 3lb to another career-high mark today but Sean Bowen is booked again; major player.
Delivered on earlier promise when winning C&D maiden (good) fairly comfortably last month; contests much deeper race on this handicap debut but should still have further improvement to come.
Close second to Just Dottie over C&D (good; refitted visor) last month but this regressive 11yo has become very inconsistent; not disgraced when front-running fifth at Hexham yesterday but others in the line-up have much more appealing profiles.
Yet to add to his Irish maiden hurdle win in 2021 and was out of form when last seen in the winter; seems versatile regarding trip/ground but is not the most obvious answer.
0-10 over hurdles; ran quite well in Newcastle maiden (2m4f, good) in March, after a break, but weakened tamely from penultimate flight in 2m4f handicap here (good to soft) in April; back in trip today; others preferred.
Strong traveller who was allowed to bowl along in front and ran a big race when second in Class 2 handicap at Kelso (2m, good) a fortnight ago; 3lb lower today and also suited by this C&D; could be hard to catch if in similar form.
Won twice (once over C&D) last autumn and has been placed on three of his four starts since returning in February from a break; can give another good account today but was raised 3lb to new career-high mark after last month's 2m5f Kelso second.
Sometimes races a bit too freely but made all to score by 13l at Sedgefield (2m1f, good) in April and has also performed well on both subsequent outings (once over C&D); refitted cheekpieces are the headgear of choice today; probably won't be far away.
Without a win since 2023; not disgraced from out of the weights on his two appearances last month but he raced off this mark at Hexham yesterday and came a never-nearer sixth, well held.
Not really firing on all cylinders since the winter but has slipped to a very tempting mark and, with blinkers refitted, was not beaten far when fifth in recent C&D handicap fought out by Just Dottie and Mack The Man.
Lowly rated Flat maiden; made the frame in two Musselburgh maiden hurdles (1m7f/2m1f, good to soft) in February/March but pulled up in C&D handicap and safely held in selling handicap since.
