A very lopsided market and the favourite FRISTIAM GOINGWEL looks very strong at 5/4 if if can transfer current excellent Chase form back over to Hurdles. It's an OK hurdles mark based on past Hurdles form and will be the one they all have to beat. Pictures of Home has twice been beaten quite short priced favourite over further, drop back in trip seems sensible, but one of those who that market have feared more than actual form so far, at the Odds, it's a case of a win bet and can it beat the favourite, and I see no value or interest in that as a betting proposition.

 

ALICE O'BYRNE is the most interesting at the top end of the market. At 5 or 6/1 there is an each way banker to be had, runner up over 2 miles at Limerick on Heavy, a winner over 3 miles on the P2P fields, looks one with some up-scope and would be VERY disappointing if not able to place at least, especially when you consider the only other one in single figure Odds is Mighty Jeremy who barely gets 2 miles and come off a 486 day break.

 

With ALICE O'BYRNE as the each way banker then, is there any value amongst the "also rans".

 

Most definitely of some interest are LADY McCABE , a Course and Distance winner of this race last season off a mark of 92. Been in poor form since but as a mare this might just be her time of year and best runs have been at this trip in soft and heavy Going. Had excuses when hampered early on last time, will have benefitted from that run though in terms of fitness and should be outrunning her Odds and I'd suggest beating more than beat her home.

 

Demophon ran better than the bare form suggested last time, has a win against the hot favourite just a year ago, just needs to click in to form but of interest to those a shrapnel flutter at big odds.

 

CHENERY also needed a recent run, has solid Hurdles form prior to it could be on a nice mark and in a field that lacks any real depth is one of the few with a mildly progressive profile.

 

We are really looking at enhanced place value here and will go with-:

 

TIP - ALICE O'BYRNE / Trackers - Lady McCabe + Chenery (if any are non runners the reserve is Demophon)