An intriguing race and a number of genuine contenders from some of the bigger NH yards and a few interesting potentially improving qualifiers.

 

There are a number of ex Flat horses and some who are so far best at 2 miles and untested over this trip, all of that suggests that this race could be run at a very decent and genuine pace and play to the strengths of those with some proven stamina in the closing stages up the longish home straight where they jump a number of hurdles. The Going is Good to Soft and the Course has a good covering of grass so no excuses really for anything on that front. It'll be, decent Autumn jumping ground.

 

At the top of the market I think that whilst impressive so far that the Amy murphy trained Young merlin has significant questions to answer upped 4lbs and 1/2 mile in trip and I also think that on form so far if Huelgoat was trained by anyone other than PFNicholls he'd probably be twice the price.

 

Of the remainder, En Avant is a Course winner for Olly Murphy who trains three and interesting he puts a good 7 lbs Claimer on this one and this would be the main danger I think to the selections of form.

 

There are 16 declared so enhanced places and I'll have a couple of main tips and a couple at bigger odds for some e/w shrapnel.

 

I can't see any reason why ALLIHES for the Skelton yard who is a Course and Distance winner, progressive and visually impressive should not handle a 6lbs penalty here, the winners prize is north of 30 grand and Skelton would have had a number of options for the race and decides on this one,this is the horse i think they all have to beat.

 

Fergal O'Brien will also be eyeing this prize with moist lips and anticipation and he enters Ajp Kingdom, a very impressive Course winner over an extended 2 miles 7 furlong, travels very sweetly and that proven stamina should be a massive asset at the business end of the race, he's up 5lbs but a fresh and progressive horse and clearly second rated on my analysis.

 

At bigger Odds and rated 3rd and 4th above others at significantly shorter prices are IKE SPORT for Neil Mulholland and Nigel T-Davies and this is a Course and Distance winner with proven form over further who could be very well handicapped and likely to be doing its best work late on. WOODIE FLASH is the other one at bigger Odds I really like the look of, a 3 mile P2P winner, has also got a Course win over an extended 2 miles and 7 furlongs, and the type to stay on off a frenetic pace and although the market suggests otherwise, the one of the three Olly Murphy horses I most like.