Notwithstanding most recent distances beaten, the greater momentum from an RPR perspective at the moment lies with THE LONG WALK, back in a more comfortable grade after finding a Cheltenham Class 2 too hot at this stage last month. Roadshow remains untried over this far and could do with taking all of his late flights more cleanly, but he has run up fewer convictions than Two To Tango and is preferred as next best. [Jeremy Grayson]
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Some appeal on pedigree for 2m-2m5f hurdles, but looked in need of more time when fading right out of a Uttoxeter bumper (good) and Ffos Las maiden hurdle (2m, soft) last autumn/winter.
Exactly two years since his Worcester bumper success (2m, good) and unable to build on that form effort to any extent on either sighting since; jumps winners from 2m-2m6f in immediate family, and precise requirements over hurdles at this stage may take a race or two to become clear.
Only outpaced on the final turn in at Hereford last time (2m, good; beaten 16l), serving notice that today's longer sort of trip is closer to present optimum; likelier one for handicaps after this.
Weakening late effort on both hurdles starts thus far, but still recorded another big personal best RPR last time in an appreciably warmer Cheltenham contest (2m4.5f, good); can make the drop in class count.
Consistent all of last term other than on genuinely soft ground, but March's Plumpton handicap third (2m5f, good) on his first outing following wind surgery was a fifth podium finish of the season without converting any; vulnerable again to anything more upwardly mobile.
Still needs to learn to jump better under late pressure, but this month's Newton Abbot 3l second (2m1f, good) rates his closest finish yet in this discipline; need for longer trip assumed rather than proven.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
