Hurlerontheditch was unlucky not to make all on his chasing debut in the autumn and could be hard to catch if back in similar form here but the suggestion is WHODINI, who enjoyed a very productive 2023 over fences and looked as good as ever last month after a break. Ballycamus should also be on the premises, while Grey Skies and Cerendipity can both benefit from today's drop back in trip.[Chris Wilson]
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Dual chase winner this season (2m3f/2m4f) and ran well in defeat over 3m here last month; holds no secrets from the handicapper but is pretty versatile regarding ground and ought to be right in the thick of things again.
Won two 2m chases for the Greenall and Guerriero yard in autumn 2022 but not seen since low-key stable debut over hurdles here last May and will need to be in peak form to have any chance off current mark.
Won four chases (2m-2m4f) on good/good to soft ground last year and returned from break with good second at Ayr (2m4f, good) six weeks ago; escaped from that with an unchanged mark and might still be on the upgrade; major player if the ground dries out for him here.
Looked stretched by 2m7f two starts ago but has been in good form over 2m-2m5f in recent months; lost out only by a short head in three-runner contest at Carlisle three weeks ago and remains on a workable mark.
Made good start to chasing career in the autumn, notably when winning at Wetherby (1m7f, soft), and put two non-completions behind him when third at Catterick (2m3f, soft) in February; didn't see out 3m last month, having made bad jumping error at penultimate fence, but remains of interest.
Dominated from the front and was set for clearcut win before last-fence fall on seasonal/chase debut at Warwick (3m, soft) in November; two very disappointing efforts followed but he steadied the ship when keeping on from the rear for fifth at Ascot (2m5f, good) last month, despite jumping left throughout; will be suited by this return to a left-handed track and it will be interesting to see whether he reverts to much more positive tactics.
Signed off for Sam Thomas with 12l win on chasing debut at Ludlow (2m4f, good to soft) in March 2023 but ran poorly when reappearing for new stable in February and it's hard to know what to expect from him here; cheekpieces/tongue-tie refitted.
Chase winner in France last spring; yet to make a splash after four British starts but ran quite well when third of five at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) last month and should be fine over today's trip.
Left disappointing stable debut a long way behind when winning readily in low-grade company at Leicester (2m6f, soft) in January; ought to have coped better with the heavy ground when last of three there in February but sports first-time cheekpieces here and may yet improve again for new trainer.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )