Djakadam - (Gowran Park, 15:15) 9/2 Winner 5/1, below form 8th of 19 in Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury (26.5f, soft) 54 days ago. Yard having good spell. Should have more to offer.
Final Assault - (Ayr, 15:25) 11/8 X Most impressive when opening chasing account at the fourth attempt in the mud at Bangor (20f) this month. Hiked up in the weights as a result, but potential to do better still.
Promising type. Much improved when winning 7-runner Lough Construction Ltd Mares Novices' Hurdle (8/15) at Down Royal (16f, good) 92 days ago by 7½ lengths from Carrigmoorna Rock, impressively.
Champagne West - (Sandown, 14:25)X Useful novice hurdler last season but already much better over fences, winning twice at Cheltenham in the autumn and a good second to Ptit Zig in the Dipper there on New Year's Day. Shortlisted.
Garde La Victoire - (Sandown, 13:15) 11/4 Winner Took form up another notch when landing Greatwood at Cheltenham in November. Creditable efforts off revised mark twice since but bumps into couple of smart and progressive rivals here.
Bumper winner on this card a year ago who got off the mark at the third time of asking over hurdles here earlier this month and remains a useful prospect. Starts life in handicaps from a fair mark.
Much improved since fitted with blinkers, easy winner of handicap chases at Chepstow/Wetherby in November and shaped as if still ahead of his mark when going in again at Newbury a couple of weeks ago.
Josses Hill - (Kempton, 15:05) 1/2 2nd Smart novice hurdler last term (runner-up in the Supreme and decisive Grade 2 scorer at Aintree). Yet to fully convince over fences, but did get off the mark at Doncaster. The one to beat up in trip.
Facile bumper winner who found only Sgt Reckless too good on hurdles bow here in November 2013. Again failed to justify short odds in same novice last year, but remains with potential. Big player.
C&D winner in March who turned a listed Ascot handicap into a procession on November's reappearance and easy to forgive his effort in the Christmas Hurdle since (not given a hard time once held).
Smart hurdler who has quickly reached the same level over fences, landing Wincanton Grade 2 and emerging with credit behind Carraig Mor at Newbury (3m) last time. Big player.
Returned from tendon injury as good as ever last season, winning handicap hurdles at Exeter and Cheltenham (Pertemps Final). Reportedly bled when pulled up in the Hennessy on return in November.
Developed into a very smart novice chaser last term, scoring at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals. Worth excusing latest Aintree unseat and can return to winning ways in refitted blinkers.
Runner-up in the Arkle. Made a winning return in the Clonmel Oil before acquitting himself well when fourth in King George. About to be headed when falling at last in Grade 2 at Thurles. Hard to beat.
Grade 1 Maghull winner the highlight of a fruitful novice campaign. Not quite as successful in open company this term, but bagged 3-runner listed contest at Kempton last month. One to consider.
Jumped superbly to see off 2 subsequent winners when opening chase account at Exeter, and quickly bounced back to form returned to prominent tactics when fourth at Cheltenham. Big player.
Smart dual bumper winner who has quickly reached similar level over hurdles, most impressive when bolting up in Lanzarote at Kempton last month. Very hard to beat if turning up here in same form.
Smart hurdler. Course winner. 13 lengths 4th of 5 to Dedigout in John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran (24f, heavy, 9/4) 24 days ago. Likely to give running but work on to turn that form around.
mart chaser. Course winner. 15½ lengths last of 3 to Un De Sceaux in Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novices' Chase at Leopardstown (17f, soft, 11/4) 21 days ago. Claims are crystal clear.
Comments
5/1, below form 8th of 19 in Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury (26.5f, soft) 54 days ago. Yard having good spell. Should have more to offer.
Most impressive when opening chasing account at the fourth attempt in the mud at Bangor (20f) this month. Hiked up in the weights as a result, but potential to do better still.
Promise in 3 runs over hurdles and potential for better now handicapping over longer trip.
Useful novice hurdler last season but already much better over fences, winning twice at Cheltenham in the autumn and a good second to Ptit Zig in the Dipper there on New Year's Day. Shortlisted.
Took form up another notch when landing Greatwood at Cheltenham in November. Creditable efforts off revised mark twice since but bumps into couple of smart and progressive rivals here.
Smart novice hurdler last term (runner-up in the Supreme and decisive Grade 2 scorer at Aintree). Yet to fully convince over fences, but did get off the mark at Doncaster. The one to beat up in trip.
Smart dual bumper winner who has quickly reached similar level over hurdles, most impressive when bolting up in Lanzarote at Kempton last month. Very hard to beat if turning up here in same form.