Plenty have possibilities but it might be worth siding with bumper winner SAUNTON SURF, who has shown clear promise in her three hurdle runs and looks interesting upped to this trip on her handicap debut. Florencethemachine still has potential for her top yard and she's feared most, ahead of recent C&D winner Pipers Cross and the very lightly raced 7yo Galloping Pride. Up For Parol has claims if he's unfazed by his step up to 2m7f, while another to consider is Sister Michael.[David Moon]
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His last win was in December 2021 but he's well treated on old form and was a close second at Fakenham (2m4f, good) 25 days ago; untested beyond 2m5f under rules but he rallied well last time and has claims if his stamina holds out.
Justified support with her narrow success at Ascot (2m7f, good) in November; well held on soft ground in last two runs but this return to forecast quicker conditions looks a positive and she's now 1lb lower than for last win; dangerous if she can get back on track.
8yo who is not easy to predict and has has struggled in three chase runs (2m4f-2m7f) this term; on a handy mark on last season's best hurdling efforts but he needs to turn things around back in this sphere.
Second in Irish point in April 2022 before £47,000 sale; just three hurdle runs since then and was pulled up at Exeter last time but he showed promise with his third in a Wincanton maiden (3m, good to soft) in January; now goes handicapping off what looks a workable mark and he needs watching in market.
Irish point winner who won an Exeter maiden (2m, good to soft) in January and she bounced back with a fair third in a Chepstow handicap (2m3f, soft) 25 days ago; needs to find more progress but she shaped like a stayer last time and still has potential for top yard.
Triple good-ground winner over 2m7f-3m last year; now 1lb lower than for last success but he's been well held in last three runs and needs a major upturn in form.
0-8 over hurdles for Ben Pauling; came second in four consecutive maidens last year (2m3f-2m4f) but he was pulled up on last month's stable/handicap debut at Newbury (3m); that was after an absence but he has something to prove after that laboured effort; cheekpieces added.
Won five of her first 13 starts over hurdles but she's been held in last three runs, including a 21l defeat at Kempton (3m, good to soft) in December; drops back in grade after a break but she looks weighted near her best and others are preferred; tongue-tie added.
Won on his handicap debut at Southwell (2m4f, good) in November 2022 but he's 0-10 since and has not made an impact back over hurdles (2m7f/3m) in last two runs; mark continues to fall but he needs to raise his game with cheekpieces added.
Record of 1-9 over hurdles but he's been generally reliable in this sphere and was a close third when upped to 2m7f at Market Rasen (heavy; 11-4 favourite) last month; seems versatile ground-wise and he's respected off only 1lb higher than last time.
Justified favouritism in both her bumpers, initially a point version and then at Aintree; no progress in three hurdle runs (2m4f/2m5f) but she's shown clear promise in this sphere and has shaped as though this stiffer stamina test could suit; looks a possible improver now switched to a handicap and she's an interesting contender.
Runner-up in a Chepstow maiden (2m3f, soft) in November but he's not gone on from that and was tailed off on his handicap debut at Kempton (2m5f, soft) in February; still early days in this sphere but he now steps up to 2m7f and has something to prove after another break; stablemate of Florencethemachine.
Came good when landing a big-field handicap at Exeter (2m5f, good to soft) in November but he's pulled up in the mud in both subsequent runs; now returns to quicker ground but he needs a major revival at this new trip.
Bumper winner who has form figures of 222131 over hurdles for her current yard; up 7lb for her C&D win (good to soft) two weeks ago but she raised her form to a new level with that clearcut success and is open to more progress; respected.
Won Market Rasen novice (2m7f, good) for Olly Murphy last June but that was a weak race; sold for £1,500 in the autumn and he was pulled up at a big price on his handicap/stable debut at Taunton last month; was reported to have had an irregular heartbeat after that race and he looks best watched.
0-8 under rules and he's been beaten 19l or more in four handicaps (2m-2m6f) for his current yard; has had wind surgery but he needs a transformation after a short break; tongue-tie is removed and cheekpieces go on.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )