14:00 – KILCREA VALE (2) has looked good in two chase starts to date, and certainly wasn’t disgraced when a beaten favourite at Market Rasen last time behind the talented Three Musketeers. He looks to have the best chance of winning on paper, but he did throw in a few bad runs over hurdles last season, and given we need to find the winner for Placepot purposes here, it is also worth including AS DE MEE (1), who isn’t blessed with large amounts of consistency himself, but has some smart form in the book (including a win in the Grand Sefton at Aintree in December).
14:30 – The Geegeez Geegee is still well treated on his hurdling form from 5 lb higher in the weights than when winning here last time, but the most interesting contender here could be ROTHMAN (2), who finished second to subsequent Cheltenham scorer Foxtail Hill at Kempton on his penultimate start, and takes a drop in grade here. A C&D winner when with Paul Nicholls, he looks worth chancing.
15:00 – L’AMI SERGE (6) is not one to trust fully given his three defeats so far this season where he has touched odds-on in running before being beaten on each occasion, but he is well clear of the field – along with Different Gravey, who has a bit to prove after an absence following his poor run over fences last time – here on ratings, and can finish in the first two.
15:30 – SIR ANTONY BROWNE (2) was an above-average bumper winner (won at Kempton and finished a good third under a penalty at Newbury) and overcame inexperience to make a successful start over hurdles at Wincanton earlier this month. He looks sure to progress with that effort under his belt, and although the form is yet to be tested, he pulled some 17 lengths clear of the third with the second, which bodes well enough for the strength of the race.
16:00 – MON PARRAIN (1) failed to meet market expectations on his Hunter debut last time, but this looks a much weaker contest, and he should be able to justify short odds second time around.
16:30 – GREYED A (5) had looked fairly progressive until disappointing at Ludlow last time, and though that is a little concerning here, he is worth another chance. LETEMGO (6) ended a long losing run last time over this C&D, and remains with handicapping scope from just 4 lb higher in the weights (won from 116 for former connections.
17:00 – An interesting bumper. Puppet Warrior sets the standard on his second at Warwick last time, but Sliding Doors should come on for his bumper debut (showed signs of inexperience at Musselburgh) and could be the one to chance.
Recommendation:
Win back ROTHMAN in the 14:30
Placepot permutation:
14:00 – 1, 2
14:30 – 2
15:00 – 6
15:30 – 2
16:00 – 1
16:30 – 5, 6
4 lines
