This is a tricky race to fathom as so many dive for headgear or change trip so I'll have a sensible wager on a couple.

 

Easyland is clearly being aimed at the X-Country at Cheltenham and here for a spin but could be very well handicapped on some french formlines and not totally discounted.

 

A whole host go for new headgear combinations including The Cob for Ben Pauling who was runner up over Course and Distance before disappointing next time and they go for cheek-pieces. Ask Dillon who is becoming a bit of a cliff horse for us is very inconsistent and they are trying blinkers here and very much last chance saloon. Onagatheringstorm is inexperienced but a horse of some promise and they freshen him up with a tongue tie. Any of those could improve for the new aids so have to be feared.

 

Ree Okka for Harry Fry could be thrown in and the one they all have to beat but does lack experience and I'm happy to watch , if you want a win saver and it is very well handicapped on visual form ,then feel free to do so. Green Book is progressive too for Venetia with a couple of nice wins before unseating but is into uncharted territory trip wise. Beaupart for Twiston-Davies feels about right price wise and has a solid each way chance, Born Patriot brings some solid Irish form and a good run at Cheltenham last August but I can't help but feel a dry run for around some 6 weeks time!. Dolphin Square is in great form and has persuaded many of the skills of his Owner/Rider but off a mark of 144 and despite some 25/1 I think the handicapper has to have caught up no surely??...  Jesultique too for Dr Newland has shot up the handicap from 110 to 115 to 120 and now up to 130.

 

I really like CALL ME LORD for Hnederson who came back to Hurdles with an eye-catching 3rd place at Kempton over Christmas, they seem to have left the Chase Fences alone for now and it looks well handicapped and the step up in trip could and should eek out some improvement. At the price and with the Yard in excellent nick I think FLEMCARA is great value too. It can run well off this mark with so many of the others having question marks.

 

If you want a shrapnel bet then DANS LE VENT who is back up to 3 miles which I think is it's best trip has solid place claims although may find the Going a bit on the firm side and PADDLEYOUOWNCANOE who is in the SP2A Tracker and impressed after a long break before having tack issues next time could spring a market surprise for the Skeltons although may just need this run otherwise it would be a full tip.

 

TIP - Call Me Lord / Tracker - Flemcara / (shrapnel at your discretion - Dans Le Vent + Paddleyourowncanoe)