Plenty of pace in this one and they should go off at breakneck speed to land the £4,690 on offer. Read on for our experts’ thoughts and betting tips.
IN SUMMARY: Just Us Two has run well in his last two starts and a win cannot be too far away. He should give it a good go here from the front as should Dynamo Walt, who did it nicely here 3 weeks ago. A chance is taken however on ARCHIE STEVENS to get back to winning ways. He won nicely here last December in a race with a similar make-up, and could just collar them late on if putting his best foot forward.
1 Just Us Two – Back-to-back wins in 2014/15 campaign but not really reached those heights until recently when 3rd at both Newcastle and then Chelmsford. Not far behind in both runs and a repeat of that here could see him go close.
2 Memories Galore – Only fair form this Autumn including when tenth of 11 at Wolverhampton 29 days ago. Should have a run in him but is 7lb above his last win and this trip might just be too sharp for him.
3 Free Zone – Has a 20% strike rate this year and scored on his first start for the yard since leaving Jamie Osborne, in a Claiming Stakes at Chelmsford 13 days ago. Won cosily that day but been a while since he won over this trip and others may have his measure today.
4 Dynamo Walt – Been in decent form this year, winning at Chelmsford by ¾ of a length in August, before a few good runs in defeat the next 4 times out. Got back to winning ways here 21 days ago, getting up by a head over this trip. Has won back-to-back races last year and cannot be ruled out off just 1lb higher. Solid chance.
5 Miracle Garden – Three impressive wins on the AW last year including here over C&D. Won again here in February, getting up to score in a strongly run race by 1 ¼ lengths when well-backed. Last of 10 on last start at Windsor and Handicapper looks to have his measure now and can be ruled out in this.
6 King Crimson – 3 wins from 18 runs this year. Won at Brighton a shade cosily by ½ length from the useful Waseem Faris from the Joseph Tuite yard but struggled in 4 runs since. 13th of 14 in a 5f Handicap at Southwell 20 days ago and hard to fancy in this despite workable mark.
7 Burning Thread – Has won over C&D before and won a 12-runner event at Bath last month, doing it nicely to win by 2 ½ lengths. Finished 9th of 10 last time out at Lingfield 11 days ago and never really involved. Up 3lb from his Bath win but only 6th of 9 on last start here two runs ago and unreliable sort.
8 Mehdi – Hasn’t won in 33 runs since 2011. Well below form when only 6th of 12 in a Handicap at Newcastle 26 days ago and difficult to be enthusiastic about his chances here.
9 Higher Court – Previously trained by David Nicholls and only 11th of 13 on first start for Emma Owen at Chelmsford 34 days ago, well back that day. John Egan booked but should find this tough once again.
10 Archie Stevens – Hasn’t won in 11 runs since winning at Wolverhampton last December, getting up to win by 1 ½ lengths that day. Only fifth behind the re-opposing Burning Thread at Bath 49 days ago but has been running respectably and has a promising claimer on board today. Could be dangerous especially if the market vibes are positive.