Fugitif holds appealing claims on the back of his good third in a tough race at Cheltenham but his preferred engagement is the 2.25 at Newbury today. Shakem Up'arry won the Plate at last season's Cheltenham Festival but was an early faller on his only run this season and it may prove best to look elsewhere. EDITEUR DU GITE could enjoy the run of the race in front and is taken to exploit a much reduced mark. Smarty Wild is second choice following his promising third at Market Rasen on his second start back from a long absence, with Quel Destin next on the list.[Ben Hutton]
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Cheltenham regular who was a creditable third there in the December Gold Cup last time (2m4f, good to soft; last three wins on soft); also effective elsewhere and has been dropped a handy 2lb; has an easier assignment here against veterans and holds leading claims; first preference is 2.25 Newbury.
Early faller on reappearance at Cheltenham in December so he hasn't had a full race under his belt this season; however, he won the Plate at last season's Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft) and today's 4lb higher mark is unlikely to stop him if he can reproduce that form.
All of his best form is over about 2m and he's unproven at this trip, and he's struggled on all seven starts since winning in December 2023; however, he's been inconvenienced the last twice by being pestered for the lead, and has dropped to a very dangerous mark; no surprise to see a bold bid.
0-8 since winning the prestigious Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November 2022 and he's not the same force nowadays, but he took a step back in the right direction in reapplied cheekpieces (retained) when third at Chepstow (2m3f, soft) in December; another 2lb lower and one to consider.
Reappeared with 10l win at Carlisle (2m5f, soft) in December; reportedly never travelling when pulled up at Market Rasen three weeks ago and it's hard to be overly confident following that, but the first-time cheekpieces could give him a boost and he's a major player on the Carlisle form.
Struggled on final two runs last season and same story on return in December (reportedly lost his action); however, tailed off on last season's reappearance before winning his next two starts (2m5f/2m3f, heavy/soft), so there can be some optimism that he'll leave that latest run well behind.
Now 3lb lower than when third to Shakem Up'arry in the Plate at last season's Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft) but tailed off on first two runs this term then pulled up at Kempton yesterday.
Just 1-16 over fences and no match for the first two when third at Market Rasen (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago, but that was still an encouraging run (faded late on) on his second start back from a long absence and he could build on it; also effective on soft going and well treated on his old form.
He's dropped to a mark 16lb lower than when running well for a long way in the Scottish National last April; however, he's struggled to get competitive on his four starts since and others are more compelling.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
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