This rather uncompetitive finale could provide a good opportunity for DEFENCE WITNESS to open his account over hurdles. The topweight signed off for his former stable with a good effort in December and a subsequent wind op may enable some improvement for his new trainer. Trevor's Lad is a possible threat if this new trip suits, while handicap debutant Special John ought to be suited by returning to the forecast good ground.[Chris Wilson]
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0-7 over hurdles for Sandy Thomson but ended 2024 with good third off today's mark at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft); subsequently changed hands for £16,000 and had a wind op; sports first-time tongue-tie; cheekpieces discarded; big player on stable debut.
Good-ground point winner; remote when fourth on both hurdling starts this year (2m7f/2m3f) but remains very unexposed under rules, and the return to good ground ought to suit on this handicap debut.
Launched handicap career with two close seconds at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft/heavy) last spring but has not been in the same form on his three outings this season, most recently when upped to 3m in January; needs to up his game.
Made quite encouraging seasonal/stable debut in November and was going okay before unseating rider on next outing but performed very poorly when last in action and is now 0-9 over hurdles; needs the new cheekpieces to help him rebound.
Well handicapped on some of last season's form and took good step back in the right direction when 14l third at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) last month, but needs to build on that latest effort over this new trip.
Became disappointing last season and was unable to justify prominence in betting when well-held fifth here (2m4f, good to soft) on last month's belated return; moves back up in trip and sports refitted cheekpieces today; not written off just yet but returns here with a point to prove.
Well beaten in both handicaps, more recently when upped to 3m at Doncaster (good) last month; needs addition of cheekpieces to make a huge difference here.
Still unexposed at around 3m but was nothing better than a respectable sixth at Newcastle (2m4f, good) two weeks ago and is now 0-9 over hurdles; needs to find something extra today.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )