Most of these are still tricky to weigh up but tentative preference is for TAKTIQUE GAGNANTE, who was placed in a big-field Irish bumper in January and should have a future over jumps. Christian Bruce should find this easier than her latest assignment at Kempton and is second choice, ahead of Global Hideaway and Hope Rising.[Chris Wilson]
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Pulled up in two points during the winter but kept on to take modest third in recent Newton Abbot novice hurdle (2m1f, good) for new stable and has place claims again if able to build on that performance.
Changed hands after creditable third in 16-runner Cork bumper (yielding to soft) in January and was not disgraced in good-ground Cheltenham bumper for new stable last month; makes hurdling debut in a modest race; likely contender.
Showed some ability on the Flat for William Haggas last year and on her two hurdling starts for Alan King in February/March; only fourth best on merit when modest third at Kempton (2m, good) on latter occasion but this race is easier and she's on the shortlist; hooded for first time.
Out of a useful hurdler for these connections; slightly disappointing when last of four at Newcastle in November but made quite encouraging debut when keeping-on fourth of seven in junior hurdle at Bangor (2m, good to soft) earlier that month and is one of the most interesting ones here.
Showed some fair form (albeit without winning) on the Flat last year and was seemingly in process of running quite well until shocking jumping error at third-last flight cooked her goose on recent stable/hurdle debut at Warwick; can feature.
Fairly useful form when placed four times over 1m2f on the Flat for Andrew Balding last year; raced too freely on her first two stable/hurdle starts, easily brushed aside by short-odds winner when remote second at Stratford (2m, good) this month, but there is still hope she might transfer more of her Flat ability to this code.
Fair on the Flat on her going days but was pulled up on stable/hurdle debut in February and probably didn't achieve much when sixth at Worcester (2m, good; first-time cheekpieces) a fortnight ago.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
