This can go to BALHAMBAR, who built upon his very encouraging stable debut when winning quite comfortably in the end at Ludlow this month and has plenty of scope for further progress. Bucephalus, another last-time-out winner, probably still has potential too and is feared most. Torneo should also feature.[Chris Wilson]
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Fairly useful Flat-racer who came good over hurdles with clearcut success at Newbury (2m, heavy; first-time tongue-tie) last month; might be seen to even better effect if the ground dries out here; likely contender.
Won Sedgefield maiden (2mf, soft) on stable/hurdle debut in November but has not yet kicked on from that success, and his first two handicap runs were no better than respectable; needs help from the first-time cheekpieces here.
Fairly useful on the Flat and has improved with experience over hurdles; drew clear on run-in to make winning handicap debut at Ludlow (2m, soft) this month and has plenty of scope for further progress; good chance.
Caused 28-1 surprise at Uttoxeter (2m, heavy) in December, his fifth start over hurdles, but seems to have lost his way this year and drying ground may not be ideal for him here; tongue-tie fitted.
Won a junior hurdle last season but chasing didn't go to plan in December (two attempts) and he was well beaten when switched back to hurdling last month; cheekpieces added today; needs to get career back on track.
Made all for wide-margin success in Wetherby juvenile hurdle (2m, soft) in January and ran well in defeat on handicap debut at Fontwell (2m1f, heavy) the following month; has a tendency to race a bit too freely but, otherwise, his claims are pretty solid.
Irish point winner in 2022; ran well for a long way in Hereford maiden hurdle (2m3f, soft) on last month's stable debut but raced awkwardly and lost ground quickly when coming under pressure; sports refitted tongue-tie/cheekpieces for this handicap debut; still unexposed but comes with risk.
Won on the Flat in September and delivered on earlier hurdling promise when winning against own age group at Fakenham (2m, good) this month; has more on his plate here but can cope with some lingering juice in the ground.
Kept on steadily for third in Sedgefield maiden (2m1f, soft) in February but was pulled up after some sloppy jumping at Huntingdon last month and has been deserted by Brian Hughes on this handicap debut.
Placed off 2lb higher over C&D (good) on last summer's handicap debut but absent since a poor run in November and the ground may not dry out quickly enough for him today; had wind op in December; tongue-tie added.
Safely held when making the frame in two juvenile hurdles in January (about 44l behind Torneo on latter occasion) and not obviously well treated on this handicap debut but his two promising Flat runs in Ireland last year offer hope he might be capable of better in this sphere.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )