Both RONNIES RULES and Sir Galahad are penalised as a result of their respective Ffos Las and Wetherby victories, but it will come as a major surprise if the solution is from outside of that pair. Preference is for the Skelton runner, who is not only two years the senior, but was also 3-3 in bumpers at this track last summer.[Mark Rowntree]
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Won three bumpers here last summer before failing to complete on his first two attempts over hurdles; returned recently from a winter break to make all at Ffos Las (2m maiden, good to soft; 2-1 favourite); carries a penalty but still has untapped potential; sets the benchmark.
Failed to win on the Flat (0-6) for James Ferguson, but did show ability in running to a fair mark; joined this trainer for 25,000gns last summer and made a winning stable/hurdles debut at Wetherby (2m maiden, good; 12-1) six weeks ago; is penalised accordingly; Sean Bowen takes over in the saddle.
Fared better on second attempt over hurdles at Worcester (2m, good; fourth of 12, beaten 16l) last September, and has since won on Polytrack at Chelmsford (1m6f, Class 6); however, he'll do well to trouble the principals here off a seven-month absence; handicapping soon awaits.
Placed in two 3m points for Sam Curling and fared respectably (RPRs in the 90s) in two attempts in bumpers for Ben Pauling; as a half-brother to the 2m1f-2m3f hurdle/chase winner Demoiselle Kap, there's likely more to come at some point; monitor only on hurdles debut.
Tailed off in sole point start over a year ago; has since changed hands and sports a tongue-tie for rules/hurdles debut; unlikely candidate on form and pedigree, with dam being a modest pointer; stablemate of Ifwegetaway.
Pulled up on point debut (2m4f) and well down the field on stable/rules and hurdles debut over C&D (50-1, beaten 42l) in March; difficult to consider as a viable contender; stablemate of Fully Gaden.
Started off positively on the Flat for Marco Botti, winning a 1m2f Chelmsford novice in late 2023, eventually reaching a mark in the mid 80s; lost his way last summer and has yet to threaten in two attempts over hurdles (beaten 38l and 28l respectively) for this trainer; needs plenty more.
Often placed but failed to win (0-8) on the Flat for Andrew Balding; took a keen hold and weakened when last of five on stable/hurdles debut at Newbury (2m, good; 12-1) seven weeks ago; may need time to acclimatise to the demands of this discipline; safer to look elsewhere.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
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