A moderate field and a few in with decent chances at nice odds and a quartet at the top of the market who should be predictably competitive.

 

Midnight Mary won over Course and Distance last time, is up 6lbs, beat our selection (Galactic Power - more of him shortly) into runner up spot. Doesn't look like an obvious one to follow up. Sound of Music needs to jump a bit better and not sure Good ground is the optimum surface and the faster they go the more it puts that jumping under pressure. Candy Lou was a 16/1 winner of 2 and a half miles last time, steps up in trip here and up 7lbs, was reported "in season" after penultimate run, and that boost may not be here to assist today.

 

Of those at the top end CHAMPAGNE LILY from the Twiston-Davies yard looks the most interesting. A 4 time P2P winner, very highly tried in past few runs including a Class 1 hurdle, the rise in trip to 3 miles plus, the significant ease in grade really should deliver something today and hopefully gives the horse a confidence boost and a chance to fulfil undoubted P2P potential.

 

Of the remainder, Always Able looks solid a pound below mark it was placed off here last October but not one jumping off the page as well handicapped or progressive, just a solid benchmark. Ask The Lady a 3 mile P2P winner from Fergal O'Brien has delivered little so far but may well improve in these conditions, Connie Wilde, who was 6th last time with some solid form yardsticks in front and behind is another who may outrun current odds. Ratoute Yutty was once 118 rated for Dan Skelton and is in free fall off a mark of 74 but may yet find a mark from which it can enjoy life again.

 

The one who could make a better impression today is EMMAS DILEMMA, mentioned in dispatches a few times and a staying on 6th behind Midnight Mary in that race where Galactic Power was runner up. Gets a small pull at the weights but shaped as if this better ground would suit and off a feather weight with a 7lbs Claim off a mark of 75.

 

 

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The already mentioned GALACTIC POWER toutes to Taunton, in the veteran stage now but a very solid yardstick and will be very disappointing if it's not placed at least.

 

Paul Nicholls runs one who could be anything in Montys Medoc, Avenwubel is up 10lbs for a Selling Hurdle win, Gang Warfare has twice been placed in last 3 runs at 80/1 and 40/1 but is one of those horses that seems to know when money is on or not, and tends to run better the bigger the price! 

 

A quartet of unexposed type from some of the bigger yards are in the "untapped as yet potential" bracket, it would be no surprise to see improvement from Rainbow Storm, Say The Word, Mr Katanga or Et Apres Thou, but on balance of known form so far, best to watch and track on after today if any start to fulfil potential.

 

Arctic Footprint showed promise last time, Chris Down is always worth a close look here but softer conditions may be needed. Somerset Gem wa sa runner up here off 94 before a break of 1032 days and has struggled to recapture form nd Malachys Girl, another noted by us a few times was quickly tailed off and beaten 53 lengths when give a glimmer of a form chance last time.

 

The best each way option would seem to be another verteran in TACTICAL MANEUVER for Jeremy Scott, a hat trick winner off 83, 90 and 96 in early 2020, steps back up in trip but was good enough to win up the steep hill at Exeter over a furlong less in 2017 off a mark of 90 and back at that last win mark of 96 again today, looks worth a small investment.