A few here look like they are having fitness / training runs to be honest and the top of the market on the other hand looks quite congested.

 

It's hard to oppose SHOT BOLI who is on a 4 timer having won off marks of 91, 95, 98 including over Course and Distance, it runs off a mark of 102 and seems one of those clever horses who just pulls out enough so doesn't get clobbered by the Handicapper as a result. Feel free if you want a win saver.

 

Princes Des Fichaux for Sam Thomas looks very progressive and will be a danger but as yet has no form on Soft or heavy Going and that puts me off a little. Mr Harp has shown minor promise without looking like a winner any time soon but is off a declining mark and should again run its race. Pride Rock from the O'Neill yard makes handicap debut here and really could be anything but all runs so far at 2 miles, no 3mile P2P form but it does have stamina lines in its pedigree apparently. Navegaon Gate for Twiston-Davies is another who has shown some promise but also upped in trip so you have to have concerns about stamina until its proven.

 

One who has run well here and won last time over the slightly shorter trip of 2 miles 6 furlongs in Heavy Going is PAGEANT MATERIAL, it wasn't exactly stopping that day and that trip is significantly closer to today's than some possibly less exposed and more scopey who may become better horses in time but who may not be as well suited today.

 

At bigger odds there were 3 who caught my eye as being dark horses in these conditions, Sign Of War just missed an investment nomination so will be "reserve", plenty of promise from this one back in 2020 with wins off marks of 87 and 92 and a place off a mark of 100 at trips up to 3 miles 3 furlongs, it's had 2 runes effectively in 3 years and I'd just want to see a bit more at this stage but it would be no surprise to see a better run here in to an enhanced place. 

 

The speculative pair I just like a little bit more on the day are SHANTOU SUNSET  who has winning form at 3 miles and 2 furlongs on Good and Heavy ground, those were off marks around 100, it runs off 101 today and is admittedly an inconsistent horse. It may tail off but if it gets into any sort of rhythm has all of the proof in the form that it can be competitive at a price. CAP ST VINCENT has been around a few Yards but is in the Tracker based on some decent placed form at this sort of trip and further in heavy conditions off marks a good 20 lbs more that it runs off here. It's another who has that proven form IF refinding some of it. It's had a wind operation and a few extended breaks but should be race fit and lurks as one not to totally write off.

 

TRACKER - Pageant Material / Shrapnel - Shantou Sunset + Cap St Vincent. (Shot Boli - win saver if you wish)