IN SUMMARY: Trainer Nicky Henderson has all the gallops and facilities necessary to get them fit when needed and if TOWERING (5/1) is ready to go then he is the value call today. His Cheltenham form behind Unowhatimeanharry has been franked time and time again and the drying ground is in his favour meaning he ought to run a big race this afternoon ahead of a successful summer campaign.
1 DRIFTWOOD HAZE (12/1)– Pulled off a surprise victory last time out at Ffos Las when running on strongly over two furlongs shorter than he faces today. Lightly raced for an eight-year-old and open to further improvement, her gets in here carrying a seven-pound penalty but may be able to shrug that off.
2 ROYAL MILAN (4/1) – Only a youngster at the age of six he also won last time out, forging clear over even further at Catterick for a wide margin success. Handicapper appears to have been pretty generous when you consider the 115 rated High Hopper was nineteen lengths behind that day (we make that a mark of 134 and he has 128 today), and after time off to freshened up he could prove the one to beat.
3 SHOTAVODKA (8/1) – Dropped five pounds for his last run over hurdles he has been in good form over fences of late for trainer David Pipe with a win at Newbury and a third at Ascot in Class Two events. Weighted a massive twelve pounds lower today than when last seen over fences if he adapts he should go well today.
4 DOLORES DELIGHT (12/1) – Put up to this mark after winning at here over course and distance against her own sex but has struggled to repeat that form off her higher mark. Ran better than her fifth place suggests when only beaten two and a half lengths in to fifth at Ascot and could possibly place today.
5 STILL BELIEVING (18/1)– Supremely consistent over hurdles fences with a first three placing in five consecutive races but pulled up last time out at Ffos Las with no obvious excuses. Could bounce back or may have had enough for the season, and the Evan Williams stable are struggling for winners so we can give him a miss today.
6 TJONGEJONGE (14/1) – Has some pretty decent form in France hence his hefty price tag but hasn’t really shown his true abilities since moving to Charlie Longsdon. Second in a three runner Bangor novice hurdle last time out he will need to show vast improvement here but steps up in trip which looks like it could be the making of him.
7 MISS SERIOUS (28/1) – Last won in August 2015 and on a much quicker surface than seems likely this afternoon. She has gradually slipped back down the weights and has proved she can win off this mark and could surprise a few here stepped back up to this sort of trip if the ground dries out further.
8 COLIN’S BROTHER (12/1) – Showed plenty of fight to get up over shorter last time out at Chepstow on heavy ground and may improve again for the step up in trip. Has been put up six pounds for that win but Jamie Bargary takes off five for his claim which almost levels things out but he seems to blow hot and cold and isn’t one we feel we can rely on here.
9 MINNIE MILAN (25/1) – Could be a bit more interesting than her odds suggest returning from a break and presumably waiting for better ground. Won three in a row last spring off of lower marks but failed to add to those once put up in the weights and may need to come down a few pounds before her next success.
10 TOWERING (5/1) – Low enough in the weights for a Henderson horse and ran his best race in defeat when fifth to Unowhatimeanharry last time out at Cheltenham in November (winner went on to win at the Festival and is now rated 152), and looks just the sort to go well fresh. Potentially very well handicapped and if fit enough to do himself justice, outstanding each way value.
11 ALZAMMAAR (12/1) – Blinkers back on today in an attempt to get him focussed but may still be a few pounds too high in the handicap here. Closely weighted with Towering on November form but looked as if he needed the run when last seen at Haydock and may need another race to put him straight.
12 FOUNDRY SQUARE (25/1) – Better known for his exploits over fences, especially in the Hunter Chasing field, and hasn’t been seen over hurdles since the summer of 2014! Well handicapped here in comparison to his chase mark which is a full stone more and could yet be competing for the places today.
13 MIGHTY LEADER (10/1) – Two wins two seconds and two thirds from eleven starts over hurdles and won a novice handicap here over shorter coming back from a break and with a bit in hand. Second on his only attempt at this sort of trip at Uttoxeter and looks up against it in one of the best handicaps seen here for some time.e first four home in all ten starts over fences but could still be a bit too high in the weights though he must have chances of a first four finish again today if back to his best.
myracing Forecast Prices: 4/1 Royal Milan Towering, 8/1 Shotavodka Mighty Leader, 12/1 Colin’s Brother Dolores Delight Driftwood Haze Alzammaar, 16/1 Tjongejonge Still Believing, 25/1 Minnie Milan Foundry Square Miss Serious