IN SUMMARY: Dusky Lark jumped well in front and really got his act together over fences when the wide-margin winner of a small-field event at Huntingdon last month. He could easily have more to offer as a chaser but today’s opposition is stronger and there are no guarantees he’ll get into the same sort of rhythm here. Preference is for HEADLY’S BOY, who was unable to pose a significant threat when fifth in a good-quality contest at Newbury last time but will appreciate today’s ease in grade, be better suited by the slower ground and is now 3lb lower. Go Conquer is unexposed as a chaser and, having run well to a point over 2m on his latest outing, will be feared if strong in the betting. Ashcott Boy has enjoyed a very productive season but was probably a shade fortunate to gain his latest win and seems most effective on a sounder surface.
1 Dusky Lark – Has made some significant jumping errors and been inconsistent since switched to chasing in December, but came good with wide-margin success in small-field event at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) three weeks ago; 7lb higher and likely to encounter stronger resistance here, but has scope to make further progress.
2 Miss Tenacious – Proved very consistent last year and signed off with a win at Worcester (2m, good to soft) in September; entitled to have needed last month’s reappearance run but remains on fairly tough mark and the combination of 2m4f and softish ground may stretch her stamina here.
3 Dance Floor King – Began chasing career with hat-trick of wins at around 2m in late 2014 but has looked out of sorts since returning from long absence this year, most recently when beaten about 38l at Newton Abbot last month; back on a workable mark now but needs to stage a revival.
4 It’s A Steal – Won twice over fences last season and ended that campaign with good second at Ludlow (2m4f, soft); found 3m too taxing there in December and was slightly disappointing when bidding to exploit novice hurdle status after another break this month, but no surprise if he fares better now back in a 2m4f chase.
5 Headly’s Bridge – Lightly raced in recent years and performed poorly when returning from absence in February; however, his fifth of seven in a competitive Class 2 event at Newbury a fortnight ago was much more encouraging and he’ll be better suited by the slower ground here.
6 Ashcott Boy – Has made good progress since the autumn, winning four of his last five starts, but was probably fortunate at Ludlow (2m, good) on latest outing last month; 4lb higher in a stronger race here and the slower ground is not ideal, so may find it tough to extend his winning spree.
7 Go Conquer – Flopped when favourite for seasonal/chase debut in November but ran well to a point when reappearing at Newbury (2m, good) this month; needs to build on that performance now back up in trip but remains unexposed over fences and goes on the shortlist.
8 Perfect Timing – Now only 1lb higher than when scoring at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) last summer but seemed badly to lose his way afterwards; might have been refreshed by 160-day break but has some questions to answer and would prefer faster ground.
9 Somchine – Bounced back from two disappointing efforts when runner-up at Southwell (2m4f, good) last month, where he looked the likely winner until a last-fence jumping error; this race is tougher but he was a C&D winner on slow ground last year and could have a say.
10 Sonny The One – Posted sound effort when runner-up over C&D (good) on chasing debut in October and has made steady progress since then, including when scoring at Taunton (2m7f, heavy) three starts ago; unlikely to be far away.
myracing Forecast Prices: 7/2 Dusky Lark, 4/1 Go Conquer, 6/1 Ashcott Boy, Sonny The One, 7/1 Somchine, 10/1 It’s A Steal, 12/1 Headly’s Bridge, 14/1 Dance Floor King, Perfect Timing, 20/1 Miss Tenacious