They are likely to run this at a frenetic pace and as we saw yesterday on this Course and worth pointing out, its a longer run to the line on this wider track and can suit hold up horses who are placed to attack from the bottom of the hill, as opposed to being very prominent at the bottom of it.

 

Mullins runs 5 and Elliott 4 so a puzzle for Sean to start with.

 

Of the Elliott runners Eclair De Beaufeu is out of form but has a good record at this meeting, 4/25 in this off 139 and 2/18 in The Grand Annual off 149, you'd have to fear it off a mark of 136 at the price. Call Me Lyreen won the Liffey Hurdle off a mark of 138 and the UK handicapper rates it 152, that puts me off it to be honest. Similarly Top Bandit whose form figures are 1-1-1 has shot up the weights too and doesn't look great value to me here. I can't really work out why State Man is so short, clearly a horse of potential but in such a deep race and with the home contingent looking especially strong I think the best Irish value here is at bigger prices.

 

I think that Gua Du Large for De bromhead may just need an extra day of sun to be at his best, and Ballyadam seems out of form, whilst Surprise Package will do well to shoulder a penalty for an impressive win on Saturday.

 

FAROUT has been highly tried in 3 significant races and whilst not excelling it does look very solid form. It drops in to a Handicap off what may actually be a lenient mark as the UK handicapper tends to raise ours extortionately for handicap wins but can under-rate one and this may be it. At the price the other one for Mullins I think is the best value is DYSART DIAMOND who would welcome any drying out of the ground but the price is frankly staggering and I can see it outrunning those Odds and off 143 the handicapper has been particularly lenient compared with some others.

 

Ian -: we seem to have quite a strong hand here, I wouldn't put anyone off a £1 each way on STEPNEY CAUSEWAY or FAIVOIR for the Skelton team, both have been seriously under-estimated by the market.

 

I Like To Move it for Twiston Davies is very progressive but at 5 years of age may lack the physical maturity of some in a hurly burly race like this, Cormier for Ellison has won its last two including one over Course and Distance and has a sporting chance. Colonel Mustard could be anything so I'm most keen on a couple of Hendersons and the third of the Skelton runners.

 

I'm intrigued that De Boinville has stuck with FIRST STREET allowing O'Neill Junior to ride BROOMFIELD BURG. The former is unexposed but has proven stamina over further and has won on soft and good Going. The latter tends to run prominently a bit choke out but it does have some good 3 mile P2P form so by no means a 2 miler trying to get home. A full on gallop therefore suits both and tactically they have a prominent runner and a hold up runner - what's not to like?

 

WEST CORK though was very impressive in The Greatwood and taken at face value has an excellent chance here and although there s some confusing form with Tritonic and Alan Kings horse is a real danger, I think the Henderson pair and West cork can give us a great run for our money and I really can't get the other Skelton pair out of my head at big prices.

 

£1 e/w fun bets on Stephney Causeway + Faivoir

 

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There seems to be a bit more chaff than wheat in this but its a race that can and does throw up very big priced winners and placed horses.

 

Sean - CHEMICAL ENERGY is actually my Elliott NAP of the week. I've been waiting for it, I think its been aimed specifically at this race all season and I'll be disappointed if it doesn't win and aghast if it doesn't place to be brutally frank. Elliott runs 6 here and I also think that THE GOFFER who comes from a 3 mile P2P background and who is really unexposed on handicap debut and FREEDOM TO DREAM for whom the trip looks ideal for Peter Fahey are very strong Irish contenders. Freedom To Dream is declared at Uttoxeter tomorrow too, may run in both but if he is a non-runner I'd like to chances of another Elliott runner in PERFECT ATTITUDE who runs best when fresh and for whom this trip looks ideal and another one the UK handicapper may have been a bit lenient on.

 

The Advisor -: I think the one really overlooked here by the market for the home contingent who frankly look up against it is QUINTA DU MAR. Ben Paulings horse was running an exceptional race in The Greatwood when falling at the last fence, if unscathed from that it runs off a nice mark, will be fresh and I've no stamina concerns for this recruit from the P2P fields. I simply can't understand the price!

 

(Ian - we have 2 long term Trackers in this for Jessie Harrington at big prices so we'll have a £1 e/w fun bet on THE VERY MAN and SILVER SHEEN)

 

(£1 fun e/w on The Very Man + Silver Sheen)

 

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I actually think this is a sub standard renewal.

 

The form of classic Getaways Punchestown win hasn't really been franked but he could run well here contrary to that, Bardenstown Lad has been very impressive at a lower level but makes a significant rise in Class. Good Time Jonny is also upped in Class with some excellent handicap form but off an effective mark of 146 looks exposed here and The Nice Guy for Mullins is unexposed but you have to take stamina on trust.

 

Of the home contingent with the form of the Yard suggests that Venetia Williams Green Book may have a squeak on Kempton form.

 

I want to take on GINTO and HILLCREST at short prices, you may wish to have a win saver on Ginto but I think the e/w value lies elsewhere.

 

RAMILLES is a very unexposed ex 3 mile P2P horse who definitely has the engine to win a race of this type. The problem has been the under-carriage but its more a case of concentrating more I think than any technical issues if he can just be sharper at his fences he can tank up that hill.

 

SHANTREUSSE has the more solid form for De bromhead and done all asked of it at the trip and therefore very solid each way material and MINELLA COCOONER is another ex 3 mile P2P horse for Mullins who should be suited by the trip and the conditions here.

 

Of the home contingent the one I fear most is BALLYGRIFFIN COTTAGE for Skelton who like the Mullins picks has some very unexposed 3 mile P2P form and who is being asked questions here but you feel well hidden so far by the Trainer.

 

 

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Tracker (non Cheltenham)

 

Fakenham 2.25 Via Dolorosa

Doncaster 4.35 Tigers Roar

 

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Placepot

 

12 + 3

8 + 13

7 + 15

11 + 7

2 + 4

3 + 1