Cases can be made for most of them but the three to concentrate on may well be I AM MAX, Casual Observer and Solar System, who are preferred in that order. The last named has shone brightly this season but the other two are more lightly raced and improvement can bring them to the fore. I Am Max has the more solid claims after his Kelso second, in which he shaped very nicely, but Casual Observer should strike at some stage soon now that he goes handicapping.[Richard Austen]
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Acts on soft, unraced on heavy; won handicaps in three (2m to near 2m5f) of his last four starts last season; handicapper has had his say and only fourth of eight when running creditably on reappearance at Newbury; needs to build on that and, having been claimer ridden on last four starts, a 7lb-claiming amateur takes over, whereas Paul O'Brien rides Casual Observer.
588-day absence and last having won in February 2021 puts him down the list but he's well handicapped judged on 2022 form (best effort at this track on heavy) for Alastair Ralph and 2023 form when trained in France; new trainer had a rules debutant short-headed last week.
Inconsistent these days but he won at Fontwell (2m1f, good to soft) in September and was runner-up at this track (2m3f, heavy) on latest outing, claimer ridden in both; stays 2m5f but may find one or two too hot for him even if this is one of his good days.
Easy win at Chepstow (3m, good to soft) in February 2023 has been very much his career peak; lightly raced since and took steps back in the right direction on last two outings, form which gives him a place chance.
Stays 2m4f on soft, unraced on heavy; narrow win at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) on reappearance and his two minor honours since were up with his best form, claimer ridden in all three; wore first cheekpieces when third here (2m3f) last time but that suggests he needs a major career best to win this.
Bumper and 2m4f maiden winner, whose best form in light career was registered on heavy; never dangerous when well beaten on seasonal/handicap debut (2m4f, heavy) early last month, whereas he won last season when returning from a much longer break.
Won a bumper (soft) and novice hurdle (heavy) last February in his first two runs; fell on chase debut in October but placed in handicap hurdles either side of that, second of 11 at Kelso (extended 2m6f, good to soft) last time; at an early stage of his career and has untapped potential.
His trainers have been sweeping all before them recently and this youngster has played his part, winning from off the pace on good to soft when claimer ridden at Warwick (2m3f) and Ludlow (2m5f) on two of his last three outings; some minor honours on soft before that, unraced on heavy; up another 4lb but and needs to find extra but he has to be considered.
Two legs of his Newcastle hat-trick (extended 2m4f) last winter came on heavy going and he was a good second over 3m here on soft; back near that form when beaten a neck at Wetherby on latest outing, so needs a second look.
Pulled up sole start on heavy; far more miss than hit but he surged back to his best form when winning at this track (3m, soft; well backed) 19 days ago under claimer Benjamin Macey; dropping back in trip is not ideal on that evidence and he's back up 5lb, but he'd be a serious player if that latest effort can be repeated.
Second in Irish point; 16-1 or 28-1 in last season's three novice hurdles (about 2m3f-2m5f) and duly found them tough, failing to pose a threat, but he did show ability and probably acts on heavy going; should stay further than this in time but this should be a slog and he needs a close look on handicap/seasonal debut, for stable which also runs topweight Nordic Tiger.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
