12:45 – AIMEE DE SIVOLA
Returning after six months off the track, Aimee de Sivola called upon her experience to get off the mark over hurdles at the sixth attempt at Warwick in October, battling well and asserting in the final 50 yards to win by a neck. She produced an even better effort in defeat when runner-up on her next start in a Wincanton handicap, before handling very testing ground well to plug away for third at Sandown last month. On that evidence, the underfoot conditions here should be no issue for Aimee de Sivola and she looks to hold obvious claims back in novice company.
13:15 – SHAKEM UP’ARRY
Shakem Up’arry showed plenty of ability when third on his debut in a Ffos Las bumper last season and was going enthusiastically in front when crashing out on his first attempt over hurdles at Leicester last month. There was plenty to like about his latest outing over this C&D two weeks later, shaping very well and impressing with the way he stuck at it against a potentially very good winner. He is open to further improvement and looks sure to take plenty of beating.
13:45 – PRECIOUS CARGO
Precious Cargo quickly made up into a useful two-mile hurdler last season and bolted up on his chasing debut at Haydock last month, creating a good impression, for all that there was little in the way of competition. That is not a straightforward piece of form to assess, but there is no doubt that he is a fine chasing prospect, and, with significant improvement expected, he is fancied to put his competitors to the sword here.
14:20 – GENERATION GAP
Generation Gap caught the eye after 11 months off when staying on under a very considerate ride at Chepstow in November, before shaping better than the distance beaten would suggest when third on his handicap debut at Wetherby last time. His tame finish that day can possibly be forgiven given he made a bad mistake at the second last, and, still relatively lightly raced in the context of this race, he is well worth another chance to prove himself on a fair mark.
14:50 – EDDIEMAURICE
Eddiemaurice produced a really solid performance and was unfortunate to bump into a couple of less-exposed sorts when third at Kempton (in a race he won the previous year) last month. John Flint’s charge has previously won off a higher mark than this, and, with claimer Jack Tudor taking a further 7 lb off his back, he looks sure to give another good account in a race that lacks depth.
15:25 – NOTACHANCE
Notachance was narrowly denied a winning debut over fences when collared on the line at Southwell in October, but quickly made amends when going one better in another close finish at Exeter the following month, though he was arguably value for more than his head victory as he idled in-front after grinding down the long-time leader. He wasn’t beaten far when fifth over C&D last month and looks the type to benefit from headgear, so gets the vote to land this contest in first-time cheekpieces.
16:00 – JAY BEE WHY
Jay Bee Why transferred to Alan King after winning his sole start in Irish points and, given his pedigree – his dam won on debut – he makes plenty of appeal for a powerful yard. Flinteur Sacre is a full brother to Sprinter Sacre and will attract plenty of support so must be respected, while Fantastikas looks the pick of those with prior Rules experience.
Picks Summary
- 12:45 – AIMEE DE SIVOLA
- 13:15 – SHAKEM UP’ARRY
- 13:45 – PRECIOUS CARGO
- 14:20 – GENERATION GAP
- 14:50 – EDDIEMAURICE
- 15:25 – NOTACHANCE
- 16:00 – JAY BEE WHY