This race went to a previous winner each year between 2020 and 2023 and can do so again courtesy of BELIEVEITANDUCAN. Alan King's gelding finish tailed off behind East India Dock in a Cheltenham Grade 2 last time, but had previously won well on his hurdles debut at Newbury and can make the most of this drop back in grade. The filly Analiese won nicely at Hereford last month and may give the selection most to do. Venetia Williams' newcomer Eaststone Buck's is well worth a market check.[David Bellingham]
Watch Live UK & Irish Racing
Simply place a bet of £5 or more on
any UK or Irish race to watch the action live!
Made a successful hurdles/stable debut at Newbury (2m, soft) in December (first two clear), but finished a tailed-off last of six finishers behind East India Dock in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham (2m1f, soft) the following month; back in calmer waters here and, being a 2m winner on the Flat, this longer trip should suit; major player.
Won an uncompetitive event on hurdles debut at Fontwell (2m2f, soft) in December, but with the long-odds-on favourite running poorly the form the form didn't amount to much; well held at Newbury (2m, soft; first-time hood) the following month and up against it here; cheekpieces return.
1m6f Flat winner for Marco Botti last summer; showed promise when second of nine on hurdles/stable debut after five months off at Huntingdon (2m, good to soft) eight days ago but finished 20l behind the winner and needs improvement here.
First foal; dam runner-up in 2m hurdle, out of 2m hurdle winning half-sister to useful winners Argento Luna (2m-2m5f hurdle) and Lyes Green (2m3f-3m1f hurdle/chase); something to like on pedigree and is with a major stable; market informative.
Showed promise over hurdles in France and when placed in his last two starts, at Fontwell (2m2f, soft) and in first-time cheekpieces at Ludlow (2m, good to soft); future may lie in handicaps, but he still holds each-way claims in this field.
0-11 on the Flat though placed three times over 1m2f/1m3f last year; not disgraced albeit beaten a fair way into fourth of eight on hurdles/stable debut at Newbury (2m soft) ten days ago, but he will need to improve.
Dual winner on the Flat (1m/1m1f) in Germany but, having been off for 213 days, was beaten a long way on hurdles/stable debut at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) last month, finishing around 20l behind El Gavilan; tongue-tie given a go but others look stronger.
Highly tried when a well-held fourth of six in a Doncaster Listed race (2m, good to soft) on her debut in January, but did it well when coming home 6l clear at Hereford (2m, good to soft) last month; should be suited by the longer trip on pedigree and high on the list.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
