IN SUMMARY: BOLLIN LINE has been in flying form in recent weeks, back over the bigger obstacles from a mark thirteen pounds lower than his current hurdles rating. Sky Full Of Stars has a few issues with his jumping but he is 2/4 under Brian Hughes which makes him of interest. Roxyfet and Dunhallowcountry are both multiple course winners so are the more interesting pair of the outsiders.
1 SKY FULL OF STARS – Not always the safest convenience, he has unseated twice in his last four starts. His two wins have both come on a much softer surface, but they have come for today’s jockey who is 2/4 on him which is intriguing.
2 BOLLIN LINE – Veteran has run into a rude run of health, clocking up three wins on the bounce. They were all over hurdles, but he can return to the bigger obstacles from a mark thirteen pound lower mark than his current hurdles rating. Could be thrown in.
3 BANDOL – Won on debut for this yard at this track, unable to cope with Sky Full Of Stars the next time. Nine pounds better off for that beating should allow him to close the gap but he lacks the scope of that rival.
4 ULIS DE VASSY – Smart for Dan Skelton going back eighteen months, but has shown precious little for this yard. The return to this trip should help but wouldn’t want the ground to get too slow.
5 ROLL OF THUNDER – Nearly two and a half years since his sole win, he has shown form sparsely since. Connections try a first time tongue strap which will need to have a significant impact judged on a poor chasing debut here last month.
6 ROXYFET – Flew up the handicap in early 2016, he has shown form only intermittently since. Enjoys his racing here, slipping to his lowest mark in two years now. Each way chance if he can tap back into one of his better efforts.
7 CAPTAIN SHARPE – Snapped a long losing run at Hexham three starts back, hammered from this mark twice since. Has won over this course and distance in the past and ground adaptable, but tough to predict when his going days are going to be.
8 MONBEG CAVE – Tough assignments in novices, he has slipped twenty pounds already in his first four handicaps. Last of four on his chasing debut, the first time cheekpieces he sports are going to have to make a huge difference.
9 DUNHALLOWCOUNTRY – Poor overall record of 2/45, but at least both successes have been here. Half a stone lower than when getting the better of Roxyfet in March, he may sneak a place if there is sufficient cut in the ground.
10 RHYTHM OF SOUND – Got off the mark at the seventeenth time of asking at Leicester last time on good to firm ground. Unpenalised for that as it was a conditionals race, that gives him a leading chance if he can back it up.