There are a couple of interesting types in this, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.
IN SUMMARY: The handicapper knows all there is to know about most of these although HANNINGTON could just be on a nice mark now. There was plenty of money about for him on his last start and the booking of De Sousa looks really positive and he could put an end to a long losing streak here for his relatively new yard. Hymn For The Dudes is unexposed and should come on a lot for the step up in trip whilst support for Gunner Moyne would be noteworthy.
1 GUNNER MOYNE – Career record of 2 wins from 17 starts and hasn’t shown a great deal this winter. He was beaten off this mark at Lingfield over 7 furlongs last time out but he can be forgiven for that run as the distance may have been an issue. The step back in trip to 10 furlongs and the drop in grade will aid his cause and Hector Crouch’s 3lb claim will be very useful. However, he doesn’t look like one of the best weighted horses here and is best watched.
2 OUTLAW TORN – Recent form counts for a lot in this grade and he’s won twice this season off marks of 50 and 53. He’s run an incredible 138 times so there’s absolutely nothing the handicapper doesn’t know about him and he’s going to find life tougher now he’s without a rider with a claim and off a mark of 56. He should give his running once again and wasn’t far away at Lingfield last time out but he’s extremely vulnerable to plenty in this field.
3 HANNINGTON – Without a win in 17 starts but he’s slipped right down the weights and a mark of 55 could be very workable for his relatively new stable. The booking of Silvestre De Sousa is an obvious positive (22% strike rate last 14 days) and he drops back in trip slightly to 10 furlongs today. That looks as if it should suit based on his form to date and there was a bit of money around for him on his last start when sent off at 6/1. Interesting sort, market could provide vital clues.
4 VALATINO OYSTER – Had two runs for Ali Stronge since arriving to her stable and has shown absolutely nothing in the process. She’s failed to beat a rival home and was beaten more than 30 lengths on each occasion. This horse has clearly had issues having been off the track for a long time and connections reach for the tongue tie for the first time. Tom Marquand is a positive booking (38% strike rate last 14 days) but he’s impossible to recommend on form.
5 ROCKET RONNIE – Record on All-Weather leaves much to be desired (no wins from 10 attempts) although he’s dropping through the weights. He was rated in the 70’s this time last year but has shown regressive form throughout last summer and this winter and he races off just 53 today. Luke Morris retains the ride (13% strike rate last 14 days) but he still looks like a tough proposition on paper. He’ll pop up at some point albeit that may be more likely on the turf than here.
6 HYMN FOR THE DUDES – The least exposed runner in the field, he steps up to 10 furlongs for the first time having run well over shorter at Wolverhampton in early February. The handicapper has left him on a mark of 51 which looks reasonable and the booking of Martin Harley looks positive for this trainer. He’s been well backed on his last two runs and unlike many here, could have something in hand at the weights. He’s likely to be a hot prospect in the betting but he does have to prove his stamina and get the job done. Very interesting.
7 JAZRI – Milton Bradley doesn’t have the greatest of records here (2 wins from 42 attempts) but his runner is in with a chance here. A mark of 50 looks workable given he placed off just 1lb lower behind a subsequent winner and he followed that up with a good enough run over C&D a few weeks ago. He’s another that doesn’t have anything to hide from the handicapper and he does have a long losing streak but he’s been in good heart lately and should give his running again.
8 CAHAR FAD – Stable have had a winner in the last 14 days although their runner here hasn’t won since January last year. He’s fallen through the weights since then but has looked really vulnerable on most of those runs and arrives here off just 1lb lower than last time out. The form doesn’t look too bad with the winner since following up but he’s tricky to recommend on form and is a risky prospect now 14 runs since his last win.
9 LUTINE CHARLIE – Emma Owen is without a win in 22 attempts here and her runner is 22 races without a victory so neither record looks set to improve today. He’s a very inconsistent sort and connections step him up to 10 furlongs which he struggled over off just 1lb higher in December over C&D. He did post a good second at Wolverhampton in January but he’s difficult to get a hold on and he loses a rider with a claim today.