ROBIN - Hereford 2.00 Handicap Chase- 3 miles 1 furlong - 14 run Class 5 - Soft

 

I narrowed this down to half of the field and have left out Post Chaise on Chase debut who has also to prove stamina conclusively although some solid Hurdle forn meant it can't be discounted. At the top of the market both Diegos Way an Irish raider who won off 94 at Bangor in the Autumn but who now runs off 102 and Big Changes who won off 86 and 90 in October and who has placed off todays mark of 100 will be tough challengers but at the prices and weights I think both are vulnerable enough to attack. If you want a crafty reverse F/C on the last two named, feel free.

 

That left me with 4 reamining and I have most confidence in FINDUSATGORCOMBE for whom Bryony returns to the saddle and genuine signs of running in to fitness and form last time at Wincanton. It's solid off this mark and has no excuses. MR KATANGA won last February over slightly further than this off a mark of 87, has slowly improved on each of 3 runs this term and arrives off a mark of 92 with a 3 lbs Claimer and is another who has no excuses today. I narrowly preferred them to the mercurial but out of form BALLYBREEN who has not really shown nay form since a golden run in early 2021 including winning this race off a mark of 76 in 2020  before ending up with last winning mark of 96. It runs off a mark of 79 here with Connor Ring in the saddle and is another with franly no excuses. The other one I looked most closely at is AUGNACURRA KING a winner at this trip in 2020 off a mark of 95, off for 2 years before making a pleasing return and if he doesn't bounce would be right in contention.

 

Thats' my preference order and I would suggest staking appropriately.