Another very competitive field on drying ground officially described as Good to Soft, we just have to hope that the pillocks that run this particular Course have not criminally over-watered.

 

Plenty hold chances and there is a strong formline from a race at Newbury where Regarding Ruth won impressively from Iwilldoit with Colonial Dreams in third.

 

You never know quite how strong any specific piece of form is but Iwilldoit gets 7lbs from Regarding Ruth for 7 lengths as does COLONIAL DREAMS who ran impressively there upped in trip and may be a horse with a bit more scope, especially as they now know the trip is well within range. 

 

Ashtown Lad has had a wind op following two poor runs and the mark seems as big an issue as the horses well-being, Small Present has won the last 2 races and comes here on hat trick bid, has an obvious chance but it may be that the handicapper has finally got the horse in its sights as after wins off 117 and 123, it now gets increased to 129. Outonpatrol is a very short price in the context of the race and questions about the trip and always for Alan King his choice of stable jockey as anything Heskin rides you have to wait for the gaffe or error.

 

At bigger odds Superkalanistic has won its last 2 races at this extended distance, off marks of 119 and 126, they allow Sam to ride for Mulholland and claim 3 b

lbs off Zak Baker and off 126 the horse will be a real danger. Kansas City chief the veteran also runs off an appealing mark but you'd hope something less exposed overall can win this.

 

Tel'Art and Ballarico are very long Odds horses who could finish closer to first than lst but at equally nice prices I like both CANYON CITY and NEVERBEEN TO PARIS. Canyon City is a Course winner who gets this trip perfectly well, the better going (provided they haven't flooded it) will be a big plus for this one and that Course win came off a mark of 135 and it runs here off a mark of 126 with a 5lbs Claimer.

 

NEVERBEEN TO PARIS is another on a nice mark with a good 7lbs Claimer who should be very competitive at optimum trip on better going.

 

A wide open contest where I think a speculative approach pay pay off.