At the head of the market a pair stand out and they are THE BOSSES OSCAR and Unexpected depth. The latter gets a penalty for an impressive win last time but it's Elliots I prefer at similar Odds after a very promising return last time out.

 

There are any number of solid handicappers in here on Going that wasn't as soft as I thought yesterday but likely to get some rain and sleet on it before racing to freshen it up a bit. 

 

MRS MILNER has a big chance if repeating it's run at Cheltenham last time but just a niggle for me at this trip and how strong that race in the UK actually was. Chavi Artist won for us over fences when a very confident selection back in November, but I think a much more effective Chaser than Hurdler. 

 

There are some at bigger Odds who warrant closer inspection though. Mortal fell when in contention in a Limerick Chase in the Autumn, this looks like a confidence booster but I would not rule out a big run. Walk To Freedom was runner up for Jessie in this race in 2018, was then off for 575 days and has run in a P2P and a Hunter Chase, they must see a glimmer of a return to form but logically we need to see something more tangible, but one to keep an eye on.

 

PREMIUM PACKAGE would be a tip if not a reserve, it's first reserve for HD-B and Rachel, so if it gets a run I will have a 1/2 point each way on it. Impressed last time and could sneak in off a nice racing weight and mark.

 

A GREAT VIEW was runner up in this race in 2017 off a mark of 126, then won at Punchestown off 131 before running in 2018 and 2020 Cheltenham Festivals. It was good enough to place in a hot Punchestown Handicap this February and after a few spins today's mark of 133 looks very interesting.

 

At bigger odds Elliott runs a most intriguing pair, Commander of Fleet and especially CRACKING SMART, 4th in the 2020 Coral Cup, hard to figure that's only 9 months or so ago, a couple of runs this season in Graded Races before an abysmal run last time when something clearly amiss. It's hard to figure if the issue is physical, mental or what??...but I don't think he'd be in here IF they were not seeing something at home. He would be very well in on runs prior to The Coral Cup and any semblance of return to that form would render the Odds ridiculous, especially as it's such recent form. It may pull up early, I'll take a chance!

 

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A competitive Handicap Chase  on likely deteriorating winter ground.

 

EVENT OF SIVOLA would seem to be a strong market leader and the one to beat, ran well to be runner up at Sedgefield last time, upped 6 furlongs in trip there and lost a shoe in running, dropped back 2 furlongs, my main niggle is the Going and the fact it may not get such an easy lead this time as at Sedgefield running down that hill.

 

Epsom Des Mottes and Uisce Ur are also at the top end of the market and I'm happy to take both on at the Odds as EDM is very inconsistent and usually kept to better going and UU is another who might find stamina at a premium on this ground at the business end.

 

Solid Strike was a decent enough runner up on soft at Newcastle in March but past experience shows may still need this run, Iwasthefutureonce for Tim Easterby was a 3 mile P2P winner on Good ground, is probably the most "could be anything" contender, so feared but another who has yet to conclusively prove itself on the Going at the trip. The same applies to Iskabeg Lane for a strangely subdued Sue Smith yard, one that we'll wait for glimmers of a revival from as they may have a stack of very well handicappped Chasers ready and waiting. Archie Brown is a danger too, dropped to Class 5 and a few runs in C4 not devoid of promise and one whose pedigree, rather than any on Coure form suggests may improve in time for this trip.

 

My selections though are both proven at the trip, happy in the ground and increasingly well handicapped and "due" to deliver soon.

 

I can't split them to be honest so a Tracker bet on each.

 

SIGURD was runner up at Market Rasen at this trip off a mark of 82, last win was 3 miles in soft at Wetherby off the same mark and runs off a mark of 81 today fit and ready to run a big race surely with luck in running.

 

SMUGGLERS STASH has been in my tracker for 3 seasons believe it or not. An excellent 2018 somewhat destroyed it's handicap mark. It would have needed recent seasonal debut for Rose Dobbin, was runner up at Wetherby this March over 3 miles on soft Going off a mark of 93, it's last win mark was 100, and it turns up here off a mark of 88. If it can't be very competitive and indeed very well placed in this race off this mark, then I'll be surprised and disappointed.