This looks competitive. BETHPAGE has soon shown the benefit of wind surgery and looked unlucky not to win at Cheltenham. Willaston denied an improving mare at Carlisle and that was over a trip short of his best. Billy Boi Blue has to be feared and so too Hardy Boy and Scrum Diddly on their return from breaks.[Alistair Jones]
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Lightly raced 8yo; had his off days last season but won two 3m handicaps, last time at Ayr digging deepest in a Class 3 (good to soft); essentially 2lb lower given Nick Slatter's claim.
Chasing when last seen in June of last year, winning a four-runner handicap at Southwell before a close third off this mark at Worcester (2m7f, good); dual winning hurdler who has his ground and fitness might not be an issue given connections.
Got up in the nick of time to beat an in-form mare over Carlisle's extended 2m3f in April (good); has won over 3m off a higher mark so has to be of interest after that return to form.
C&D winner last August and his close fourth at Cheltenham three runs back was his best form yet; soft ground was no good to him on final appearance; nothing wrong with his mark.
Won hurdle races on very soft ground in France and a 3yo race on good at Huntingdon; ran moderately back from a break last time but did go close at Uttoxeter the time before (2m4f); could go well, though stamina for this far is unproven.
Back from wind surgery to win a three-runner race at Wincanton (3m, good) and finished well for second in a Class 2 at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) after not getting the best of runs; lots to like, despite the 5lb rise for last time.
Has won two bumpers, a novice hurdle and a 2m4f handicap (on good); close third, and closing, after a mammoth absence at Ffos Las three weeks ago (2m4f, soft); needs to avoid the 'bounce' but every chance otherwise.
Contested a competitive Class 2 on penultimate start and that was only eight days after winning at Hexham; did it comfortably last time at Southwell (3m, good) and she looks progressive all of a sudden; up 8lb but William Maggs takes away 5lb of that.
