A marathon trip and because they have yet to conclusively prove they get it and in some cases have to markedly step up in trip, I will leave out Dino Boy; Coole Hall; Gangster; Iwilldoit. I think of those unproven at the trip that One Of Us and Classic Escape, are the biggest dangers, but happy to take them on.

 

Duc De Grissay is a live danger. Sandy Thompson and Ryan Mania are a hot combo but a niggle about the trip for me and I don't think the price is any value at all. Nakadam is a Course and Distance winner, but Class 4 has long been a bit of a ceiling and a combination of the penalty for a win last time and being out of the handicap swings me away from the horse today.Red Giant is a Course winner for the very under rated Jenny Candlish but niggles about trip and Going just put me off.

 

That leaves me with BIGIRONSHIP who won this last year and looks still to have scope for more. It is 12lbs worse off for the 9 length beating it gave Just Your Type in the race last year but I thik still the better value of the pair and at the prices I think it's a case of picking one and nailing your colours to the mast than trying to perm both for net profit. BIGIRONSHIP is the one I think they all have to beat.

 

At slightly better Odds I think BOB MAHLER should now be fit, has been pulled up twice in much better races over shorter and the form of it's 4 mile win at Musselburgh reads well in the context of the race and it's place chances. The enigma of the race is LOOKING WELL twice threatened to win 4 mile races and a Fall and an Unseat when looking to do so raise doubts. However, clearly a horse with an engine and scope and IF it jumps the last in contention, would have an excellent chance.

 

TIP - Bigironship / Trackers - Bob Mahler + Looking Well (pref is for BM if you only want to stake on one)