A competitive race and always one that the Pipe Yard targets and with the stable in really decent nick right now you have to look at INDUNO who has very similar profile to last years stable winner. The market have spotted the danger, off for 323 days, I'm happy to take it one seeking some enhanced place value. Henderson sends out STEAL A MARCH another similarly backed, Henderson rarely shows his hand much before Newbury at the end of the month, this one has every chance but again we're looking at potential rather than proof and another I'm keen to take on. TANGO BOY from the Mulholland yard off for 246 days is another progressive horse, one I like a lot and it's in my Tracker and I'll take the risk it'll need this and won't be over exerted but one for the coming season for sure.

 

Lets now look at the more exposed, Voodoo Doll was 5th in this last year, stable like a long priced tilt here but can't see any reason why it would better last seasons run. HEAVEY has had a run, has bags of stamina and if it did turn soft quickly, one who could have a place squeak at nice each way Odds. I think it would need the ground to have been opened up a lot more though to bring stamina in to play.

 

I'm left with a final 4 to focus on. Magic Dancer from Kerry Lee's yard is race fit, a Course winner, has placed at this trip in the past at Wetherby but just a stamina niggle off a true run pace puts me off. Would be a good reserve IF any of the following are non runners.

 

HAWTHORNE COTTAGE for the exciting and progressive young trainer Amy murphy ticks all of my boxes here. a 3 mile P2P winner so proven stamina. A 2 mile NH Flat winner at Cheltenham, so no Course concerns and indication that the horse may have a change of gear too. Won last year at Doncaster off 108, a strength sapping long straight there and then won at the more tricky up and down Plumpton off a mark of 116. Will have needed seasonal debut and I can see it being competitive off 121 if fully tuned up.

 

The course specialist here is LUNGARNO PALACE for the Fergal O'Brien yard who are churning out winners almost as regularly as their excellent any really funny social media output. Fergal is an endearing and talented Trainer. I expect this to be a truly run race and if you can guarantee anything to be coming late up the hill in to a place it's this one.

 

My tip is CASTLE ROBIN. We'll have to take fitness on trust but this is a prominent front runner, has 3 mile P2P form and if they get the fractions right I can see it nicking a soft lead in to the final turn and setting sail up the hill. I'm prepared to think that style should guarantee a place at least, unless they get the fractions wrong and a chance I'll take.

 

TIP - Castle Robin / Trackers - Lungarno Palace and Hawthorne Cottage (reserve Magic Dancer)..