This is a testing and undulating Course when it gets soft or heavy and I'm keen on stamina and ground angles as a result.

 

There is some interesting and correlating form at the top end of the market with Banks Boy for the Elliott yard who finished runner up to Macs Charm last time. Banks Boy is upped 6lbs for that run but is 2lbs better off with Macs Charm for just under 2 lengths and whilst both have strong chances of finishing 1-2 or very close again there is also some clear form with CAESAR ROCK who runs off 107 and gets 5lbs for 1 and 3/4 lengths off Macs Charm and whilst Banks Boy is around 4/1 and Macs Charm around 6/1 , at 4 or 5 times that price and every indication that all conditions suit CAESARS ROCK then I think it's well worth an each way investment to enhanced places.

 

Ernie McCracken makes handicap debut but doesn't jump off the page at me, Big Debates has gone 1-1-2-2-1 mixing Hurdling and Chasing and trips between 2 miles and 2 miles 6 furlongs but is 10lbs above its last hurdle mark in that sequence. Kells Priory is a Course and Distance winner and up 7lbs for a 33/1 win, my view is that it was one of those races that fell in the lap of the horse, fair play it took advantage but it doesn't strike me as one to follow up here.

 

Lie Low the Fields is definitely one I fear back Hurdling for HDB/Rachel but its confidence looks shot over Fences and it may just need this run to clear any mental issues that has caused. It won off 96 and 104 hurdling and placed off 113 and 116 so 118 lacking confidence is by no means a lenient mark. Petit King is another who has shown promise and is upped from 2 miles but it's not going to be easy to get this extra half mile in these conditions and as I indicated a day maybe to side on the form that can be verified in terms of proven stamina. Shantou Lucky and Yabo would have squeaks on some form but I don't think either will enjoy the conditions particularly. Ballinaboola Street will probably need the run and had the going been a little less soft then its probable that INFLUENTIAL LADY would have got some form of investment. It's probably going to need the handicapper to relent too but one to keep an eye on.

 

In addition to the already discussed CAESAR ROCK, I'm also very keen on REBEL EARLY and once again SWEET STING is one that I just can't ignore

 

REBEL EARLY is top weight here but won off a mark of 113 in deep mud at Cork in January. It was then runner up over this Course and Distance off a mark of 120 last time and off just a pound higher. I will be disappointed if it's not at the very least running an enhanced place here. SWEET STING has been on my radar for the last few runs, ran a better race last time and I'm 100% convinced is running into some good form. Its last 2 wins have been off 102 and 108, it's now down to a mark of 109 with a handy 7lbs Claimer up, this trip is on the short side but I think will ride a couple of furlongs tougher than the trip and I can visualise the horse staying on and finishing off the race and hopefully in to a place.