A race where many come off extended winter breaks (the "summer jumpers") and others come off shorter 3-4 month breaks. A few have had a run and that can only benefit them.

 

Have to mention the "Going", it will be soft side of Good, some complaints about watering and then rain. The fact is that you have to start watering a few weeks in advance and had there been a field of 5 on rock hard Going the Clerk of the Course would have been hammered for that too. Important to point out i think the huge difference between soft Summer Going and Soft Winter Going. I don't think any horse has an excuse on what should be lovely jumping Ground with a lush covering of Grass.

 

With the prices available I narrowed it down to a short list of 5, Copper West is a Course and Distance winner with a big chance and Fidux comes with a run from the in form Alan King yard, on the balance of form and needing Good summer ground, I can't quite pick either but a win for either would be no surprise at all.

 

SAN BENEDETO has had a Flat run, hard to believe that wasn't anything other than a warm up for this. Gets top weight but everything points to a big run with Brony in the saddle and if the horse is not placed at least, I'll be very disappointed.

 

For the Tracker punt I looked closely at Phillip Hobbs IMPERIAL PRESENCE with Dicky J up, looks like a nice Tricast Perm horse to me and a nice price too, but just trumped for a punt by ROYAL VILLAGE. Royal Village was runner up in this in 2019, can go well fresh and Course form here is a big asset.

 

 

The Going here will be soft. Mark Johnston runs a few and Jockey bookings are interesting to say the least.

 

He puts Ryan Moore up on Themaxwecan, PJ McDonald rides Star of The East, Frankie rides Cape Coast and Joe Fanning rides KINGS ADVICE.

 

Fanning is the master of sectional timings and could see a big run from the top weight here who looks the most suited of the quartet to the Going and Trip. The horse won this in 2019, has struggled with the handicapper since, but rock hard fit and a winner on soft in France is too big a price for me to ignore as I believe Fanning has had choice of horse here even ahead of the "big names".

 

Christopher Wood for PFN could be anything but despite a facile win at Bath this does look a different league, Holy Kingdom is a big danger and I think DUBAI FUTURE could run a very big race for Saeed Bin Suroor so a bit of shrapnel on that one as Sire Dubawi wasn't adverse to some cut in the ground.

 

The tip though is a sporting each way punt on RESHOUN. Somewhat exposed in terms of the handicap but Ian Williams loves to target this type of race for Dr Koukash. The horse gets the trip and a bit further, has had a run so will be plenty fit enough, gets the capable assistance of Jim Crowley and has good form on soft and heavy Going. One that should be staying on late in the race and another I will be very disappointed about if it doesn't place at least.