A tricky little 0-50 Handicap to sort out with a few in with a chance. Read on for our experts’ thoughts and betting tips.
IN SUMMARY: Shaun Dun Na Ngall won a Selling Hurdle for Gordon Elliott and will certainly get the trip, he can go close if taking to the surface. Rainford Glory has looked as if he is coming back to form now and won’t be far away if continuing in the same vein. Dusty Raven should also go close if following up his second at Lingfield recently but this should be left to TRUST THE MAN, who was a good fifth at Kempton last month in a better race and if improving on that could be the one to beat at this longer trip. Let There Be Light can also get involved if taking to the new trip and should be coming at them late on.
1 Hooks Lane – Lightly-raced on the Flat so far with latest run producing a sixth-place finish in Handicap at Wolverhampton 51 days ago. Stayed on late that day showing his best work at the end but hard to get excited about here making his Polytrack debut.
2 Monzino – Hasn’t won sitting winning tidily at Southwell last year and was a well beaten fifth over Hurdles 16 days ago and only seventh last time he was seen on the flat so can be ruled out in this given he isn’t one for maximum faith.
3 Shaun Dun Na Ngall – Previously trained by Gordon Elliott and won a fair Selling Hurdle at Stratford 47 days ago, staying on strongly to get up by 2 ¼ lengths. Only sold for £3,500 but interesting on his first start for Amy Murphy.
4 Street Art – Won at Kempton last December and only one good run next time out. Has been below form this year with only one decent run coming at Lingfield in April. Easily discounted here.
5 Rainford Glory – Hasn’t won in eleven runs since scoring at Redcar last year. Only seventh of 9 in a Handicap here 3 weeks ago when visored for the first time. Up in trip today but hasn’t been beaten far the last two and can get involved if producing his best.
6 Fleetwood Poppy – Won at Lingfield when last seen 114 days ago. Gave the impression there was more to come that day as she wasn’t at her best there and trainer likes to have winners here. Chance.
7 Cougar Kid – Three runs so far and only tenth of 11 in Maiden at Wolverhampton 19 days ago. Makes Handicap debut today and wears cheek-pieces for the first time here. Up in trip also and too many negatives to be confident here.
8 Roughlyn – Only one win so far in 24 runs on the Flat and 12 since that win at Lingfield in 2012. Last of seven in Handicap at Newcastle 17 days ago, weakening very quickly. Luke Morris on board today so that’s a positive but strike-rate is extremely off-putting and hard to like here.
9 Hall Of Beauty – Only thirteenth of 14 in a Handicap at Newcastle 69 days ago when 33/1. Makes his Polytrack debut today and having first run for Shaun Harris since leaving Michael Appleby. Absent for 162 days ago and should come on for that.
10 Solid Justice – Won at Thirsk in April when 40/1, staying on to get up by a neck. Seventh of 10 in a Handicap at Newcastle 69 days ago and wasn’t much better prior to that. Has left Kenny Johnson and makes Polytrack debut today. Best watched for now.
11 Top Set – Still winless after 24 Flat runs but creditable third of 11 in a Handicap at Wolverhampton 51 days ago when didn’t get a clear run. Capable of getting involved if putting his best foot forward but strike-rate certainly off putting.
12 Dusty Raven – Very good second in a Handicap at Lingfield 16 days ago and could easily get involved here if getting a clear run. Solid claims.
13 Trust The Man – No wins yet but a very good fifth of 11 in a Handicap at Kempton 29 days ago and has every chance on his best form. Has Nicky Mackay on board today over this slightly longer trip and could be tough to beat if having the race run to suit.
14 Let There Be Light – Fourth of 12 in a lesser event at Wolverhampton 20 days ago. Significantly up in trip today and the yard are in good form. Dangerous to discount if taking to the distance