A low grade but competitive Handicap Chase with steady light rain forecast and already falling in the area. It's probably Going will be soft by race time.

 

That plays saginst the "Good ground" preference for many in the field and makes the final 3 furlongs of the race more daunting for a number proven at 3 miles on better Going that they just about get in terms of proven stamina.

 

Market leaders Ede'Iffs Elton and Paddys Runner have decent form but may not relish the test and that opens up better form options at the extended distance and in softer Going.

 

GREAT TEMPO for the in form Pipe Team won over 3 miles 2 and a half furlongs on Soft at Taunton a year ago off a mark of 88, will have benefitted from seasonal debut, turns up off a mark of 89 with the stable in better nick now than for a long time. Certainly has every chance and no legitimate excuses with luck in running.

 

LOVE THE LEADER is a Course winner over slightly shorter and a Distance winner at Fontwell off marks of 89 and 90 and turns up here off a mark of 90, having had 3 runs to get fully fit with a good 3lbs Claimer in the saddle. Simply no excuse on that form why it wont go very close with luck in running

 

I'm happy to tip both, looking for a net profit on the race and will be disappointed if one doesn't win and the other place.

 

There is one at long odds whose form when closely looked at intrigues me enough to have a small wager. SHANROE SMOOCH has poor Rules form so far and runs off a basement mark of 72. This is the furthest it's been distance wise in the UK though and on this Going could possibly run better and look back far enough to an Irish P2P win where over 3 miles it beat Ask Cory now rated 100 level over in Ireland and Trumps Benefit, rated low 90's in the UK, and you'll may be understand why I want a few quid each way on it and Track it over this kind of trip.