With many having questions to answer, the safest option might appear to be Vendant as he at least comes on the back of two respectable efforts, but a chance is taken on IVANE now that he's starting out for James Owen having shown enough in Ireland to suggest that a race like this should be within his compass. Proper Twelve, Ask Her Out and Eliza Dolittle are others worth considering. [Tim Mitchell]
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A soft-ground hurdle winner off this mark at Taunton last February for previous stable but well held on all starts this season for current connections, latest when pulled up back at Taunton last month; sliding down the weights but doesn't look like capitalising on that anytime soon.
Largely struggling for form this season over fences, apart from his second at Huntingdon (2m7f, soft) in December when tried in blinkers, and failed to complete when fitted with a visor on last two starts; reverts to hurdles on a good mark and hard to dismiss if the newly fitted cheekpieces have a positive effect.
Dual chase winner but 0-4 over hurdles; in the process of returning to some form when falling at Fakenham (2m5f) in first-time cheekpieces over fences in January but failed to get involved from out the back in the same headgear at Huntingdon last month; has a bit to prove back over hurdles but hard to rule out.
Galway winner in October 2023 whose losing run is mounting up; better effort when third at Tramore on New Year's Day; pulled up 15 days later but becomes of interest having now joined James Owen and is one to watch in the market.
Has posted two encouraging efforts this year, latest when fading late on first go at 3m1f at Plumpton last month; has more things going for him than most and likely to be thereabouts with the drop back in distance a positive move.
Made a promising start to handicaps at Plumpton (2m4f, good) last March but he dropped right out at Ffos Las in May and looked as though he'd be all the sharper for last month's belated reappearance; needs to build on that but the suspicion is he'd prefer a stiffer stamina test.
1-11 in Irish points, that win coming over two years ago and he offered little over hurdles when last seen in this sphere; makes stable debut in an open race but probably needs to raise his game.
Bumper winner who came good at the fourth attempt in handicaps but pulled up in a Class 4 at Wincanton from out of the weights last time; she was progressing well prior to that and could easily resume progress if back on song.
Gained a hard-fought win at Plumpton (2m5f, good to soft) in December but she's not the easiest to predict and was soundly beaten there next time, albeit down in trip; goes back up in distance and hard to rule out but she comes with risk.
0-15 over hurdles and out of form over fences prior to an early fall at Huntingdon this month and finishing tailed off over 2m5f here back over hurdles last month; has gone well at this venue in the past but it's hard to make a case for her on most recent efforts.
Ran respectably to finish third at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) last February but he didn't fire on his seasonal return here in November and was pulled up at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) last month after another break; remains with something to prove.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
