14:00 – ICONIC MUDDLE
Iconic Muddle has made a bright start to his hurdling career, finishing placed on all five starts this season, and he did little wrong when runner-up at Newbury last time, finding only an unexposed rival too strong. He sets the standard in this race on the back of that performance and, with further improvement anticipated, he should prove difficult to beat.
14:35 – POTTLEREAGHEXPRESS
Pottlereaghexpress has refused to settle on both starts since moving to Toby Lawes, but has shown enough to suggest she is up to winning a race like this. She will have no problem with this step up in trip (has form over further) and is of interest on her chasing debut. Irish point winner Soarlikeaneagle disappointed last time but can be given a chance on his previous effort and is a danger.
15:10 – TAMBURA
Tambura shaped with encouragement on her debut for Neil King at Warwick in December and stepped up on that effort when second at this venue a couple of months ago. She seldom runs a poor race around here, and landed this race off a 1lb higher mark two years ago, so she makes plenty of appeal with conditions in her favour.
15:45 – RUBY YEATS
Ruby Yeats took advantage of a drop in the weights to record her first win since 2016 at Fontwell in January, staying on well to pull clear of a subsequent winner.
She has gone up 6 lb for that run but still holds obvious claims if turning up in a similar mood.
16:20 – DONT BE ROBIN
Dont Be Robin bounced back to form when a creditable third at Wincanton last month and will appreciate this step back up in trip, so he gets the vote to build on that effort and go a couple of places better here.
Chivers has remained consistent this season without getting his head in front and he looks another likely to play a big part now tackling the longer trip.
16:50 – LEGAL OK
Point winner Legal Ok has yet to get off the mark under Rules, but he has shaped well enough to suggest he will get his head in front sooner rather than later. He ran well under an enterprising front-running ride when second in a handicap hurdle over course and distance in January, and looks a likely contender here from a 2 lb lower mark.
RECOMMENDED READS:
- Ruby Walsh’s Cheltenham Festival Cheat Sheet
- Frank Hickey’s 3 horses he fancies who are well handicapped
- Frank Hickey is taking on these 4 favourites at the Festival