This is a race for Conditional Jockeys who have started in Pony races, some cracking talent on display and apart from the odd one all very competent and perfectly capable riders, so I've no concerns about focussing on the horses and not worrying about rider ability.

 

With 17 runners there are enhanced places.

 

Torula is favourite for Ben Pauling upped in trip and tongue-tie added but I much prefer FAME AND FUN for Paul Nicholls at the top end of the market and with my perception that it's the one they all have to beat and a price around 3/1 I do think it is worth a win saver bet. There are a few with scope to improve in here like Havaila who was highly tried last time and clearly well regarded and scopey if staying the trip. Jet Marshall for the Hobbs team who could be about to send out a host of progressive younger horses now the ground is drying out and improving, makes its handicap debut and has some 3 mile P2P for so definitely one to TRACK forwards from here.

 

I do like the place chances (at least) of the more experienced SAMI BEAR who has some very solid placed form and who really should have no excuses here for the Gordons, and SERMANDO whose last win was off a mark of 114, had 3 good runs before a bit of a bli last time but on this drying ground should atone for that with a solid run.

 

Seymour Promise for the Tizzards was runner up over a bare 2 miles last time and that was the first sign of any real form but we have to take stamina on trust, Benandgone has been kept away from winter ground but has a squeak on some Autumn form and runs last Spring but may just need this you'd think.

 

At bigger prices, Darksideoffarnside is on a winning mark but has been off over fences for 695 days and 503 days if you include a Flat one, definitely one to keep an eye on and I've added to my tracker. Ferdinand Star and Baliya have to prove stamina and Coldens Dream has been off for well over a year but a small investment on HELIOS ALLEN may be worthwhile as although out of form over fences it's jumping rather than engine that has let this one down and back over the smaller obstacles its not far off it's last hurdle winning mark of 105 and runs off a mark of 107 and it'll be disappointing if its not beating more home than it finishes behind.

 

 

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A competitive and typically tricky Wincanton Chase.

 

Certainly Red is in cracking form and improving and in the Tracker but I am keener at the top of the market on Nicholls lightly raced these days SOUTHFIELD HARVEST who might have been found a nice opportunity here and who has the Class to be aimed at a nice handicap at one of the Festivals on Good ground if getting a confidence boosting win here.

 

There are plenty of dangers though with Golden Sovereign who made a pleasing return recently off a 674 days particularly interesting,Foxboro could go very closeif proving it has the stamina to see out the trip in a truly run race, Copperhead is in the Tracker but has really become a cliff horse for me and so many others, Tallow For Coal was a nice winner off a mark of 127 before disappointing last time but would be in with a squeak if returning to form, Kapga De Lily has never really lived up to some very strong early promise and the Yard aren't really firing again as they should but she lurks although I think on too high a mark at the moment. Butterwick Brook is a solid contender on proven Course form but I think in a bit too deep here and Champagne Court definitely ticks the stamina boxes and has masses of ability but I always think better over hurdles and slightly suspect jumping may be found out here.

 

I like the chances of NEON MOON today, its 2 out of 2 at the Course over shorter, not totally proven at the trip but a recent Wind operation should once and for all answer that question and is well handicapped and if the operation unlocks the door to undoubted ability, it would go very close here at a nice each way price. Nearly Perfect is one worth tracking and following following a recent return after a 2 year absence on a nice mark on old form but MORODER looks very over-priced after 4 successive wins last season and although disappointing on seasonal debut, it needed a run last year before some very impressive form. They'll have high hopes for this one and today will be a true test of how far they can begin to aim.