It's hard to rule too many out here and at the top of the market is Emmet Mullins horse Hardy Bloke, I think it is vulnerable, but as Mullins has an equally vulnerable looking favourite in the other tip race if you want to cover them off in a crafty small e/w double, please feel free to do so!

 

Krabat has sound credentials but isn't that well handicapped, Robindevidastar has flattered to deceive since winning last November off a mark of 85, it ran one of its better races last time and could well pop up but I've gone with this one so many times with a similar write up and I actually prefer a few a lot more, so we'll hope it again flatters to deceive.

 

It is well worth adding Emily Roeburg and Garoon Doux to the TRACKER and I have done as I think both will come on for this but have a lot of untapped promise. Gringo D'Ainay just missed my shortlist of 4 for this race and would be frustrating if he won on that basis and is another for us to keep an eye on. Benz runs for Elliott but with no real form is best watched. Elle Dorado Rock drops in trip and gets a tongue tie and as it runs for Tony Martin can't be entirely rules out either at a big price, but one at a bigger price is preferred.

 

I think the one to be on each way is GALI FLIGHT who is in good solid and consistent form and deserves a win, really no excuses in this field off this mark on current form, MEETINGOFTHEWATERS has won an NHFlat bumper, a 3 mile P2P and the drop in trip looks ideal given its current progress and I'll be very disappointed if it's not in the place money here. The same applies to LOW LIE THE FIELDS who was progressive 2 seasons ago, has got a bit becalmed but is another who has no excuses in these conditions off the mark. The one at a big price and in the TRACKER already that I cant ignore is SIBERIAN STAR , very progressive in 2020 / 2021 season, off this sort of mark and still only a 7 year old, it's hard to fathom what's gone wrong but at silly odds it has to have a small investment.

 

 

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A 24 runner Novice Hurdle and whilst a few may be holding something over a cold bushel, there also seems to be a fair bit of deadwood in the field. I'd point out the Emmet Mullins favourite A Cheap Thrill, who may do just that if a small e/w double with his runner in the 2.50 also prevailed.

 

I See The moon has been off for 14 months so probably best watched. Light Parade is up 7lbs for a Thurles win over 2 miles and not well handicapped with one of my later selections. Esthers Marvel would be a danger with a run but is 3rd reserve, although if any Trainers further North or East had transportation issues and it got a run it would be worth a small shrapnel bet. Pana To Milan makes Handicap debut for Mick Winters and is the one of that type who I'd most fear at a BIG price if you wanted an extra fun £1e/w bet.

 

I was left with a shortlist of 6 of the 24 declared runners and will reluctantly leave out MOON EAGLE who is a Tracker horse and for whom the drop in trip and blinkers do make tactical sense and he'll be the RESERVE with a load of enhanced places available.

 

My most confident picks are POSITIVE THINKER, who has finished 3rd and 2nd on last 2 runs and a shade unlucky last time out, he really should be bang in contention off a mark of 94, CHAMPAGNE AUCTION is well handicapped with the already mentioned Light Parade and steps back up from 2 miles having shown considerable promise at this Course over 2 miles and 3 furlongs recently. I also think a smaller investment in LOUP DE TALLAINE who was a nice winner at Wexford before being given a disappointing ride last time and LONDONOFFICECALLIN whose form figures of 2-2-3 give it every chance here can't be overlooked for an investment. At bigger odds another Mick Winters horse WEST BREEZE is a nice early price and the move back to Hurdles after being quickly sent Chasing is one to note as the horse clearly has an engine but just at this stage is struggling a bit with the bigger obstacles.

 

TIP - Positive Thinker / Trackers - Champagne Auction / Lop De Tallaine / Londonofficecallin / shrapnel - West Breeze (reserve - Moon Eagle)

(that is the preference order if you want to invest in fewer but I'm targeting 6 places here for some net profit)