| No. |
|
Selection |
Form |
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Guide |
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- Stratagem
- James Bowen / M Bowen
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|
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16/1 |
Stratagem
Formerly smart but missed nearly two years after winning a pair of hunter chases in spring 2022 and pulled up soon after a bad mistake three out at Stratford in March on his return from another break (final start for Paul Nicholls); sold for 30,000 at the David Maxwell dispersal in October; the betting is perhaps the best guide to expectations now he's starting out for a new yard after a further nine months off.
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- The Boola Boss
- Jamie Brace / Miss R Curtis
|
|
133
|
9/1 |
The Boola Boss
Ended last season with a couple of Class 4 wins (good/ good to soft; probably acts on soft); hasn't fully fired in two outings this term but could be building up his fitness and he's been eased 3lb in the handicap.
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- Gaelic Rambler
- R T Dunne / J & A O'neill
|
|
|
6/1 |
Gaelic Rambler
Runner-up in both his Irish points; had wind surgery prior to finishing third then second in good-ground maiden hurdles over an extended 2m7f at Chepstow in the spring (better effort first occasion); switches to fences for this handicap debut after eight months off; it will be interesting to see how strong the betting vibes are for a stable which had a welcome winner last weekend.
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- Top Target
- J J Burke / K Bailey & M Nicholls
|
|
133
|
5/2 |
Top Target
Lightly raced 7yo who made a sound start to his chase career when third over an extended 2m3f at Wetherby (good; has won on soft) six weeks ago after another break; can build on that now stepping back up in trip for yard which continues in very good form.
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- Silver Thorn
- H Cobden / Miss E C Lavelle
|
|
132
|
4/1 |
Silver Thorn
Underwent wind surgery after pulling up in the EBF Final at Sandown in March; didn't show any immediate benefit from that when remote fifth on Lingfield chase debut and reappearance 31 days ago but wasn't helped by getting hampered early on (also jumped left himself); Cobden retains the ride.
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|
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- Lilting Verse
- Fern O'brien / F O'brien
|
|
132
|
4/1 |
Lilting Verse
Winner over fences at Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft) last November and runner-up three times since, including at Ffos Las (extended 3m1f, soft) in October on reappearance after wind surgery; unlikely to be far away if in similar form.
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- Ladronne
- Jack Power / J Parkinson & S Smith
|
|
134
|
4/1 |
Ladronne
Veteran who showed there's still plenty of life in his legs when leaving his Wetherby reappearance effort well behind to win over 2m5f at Sedgefield (soft) 18 days ago; did that fairly comfortably and should remain competitive off 5lb higher for a stable which continues to go well.
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