2.20: Paul Nicholls introduces French import ARENICE ET PICTONS who finished third over hurdles at Auteuil in April we expect him to make it a winning British debut here. Point winner Sykes makes his hurdling debut and could pose a threat, the main danger appears to be Harry Fry’s Polamco who won a bumper at the third time of asking and makes his hurdling debut too.
PLACEPOT: 1 & 6
2.50: Alan King’s Turn Over Sivola went a close second in a Grade 3 handicap at the Aintree festival over two miles and finally got off the mark last time when comfortably landing a 2m novices’ at Huntingdon he will certainly pose a threat here. We burden the Paul Nicholls trained SOLAR IMPULSE with our selection he impressed when winning a hurdle race at Auteuil last summer and easily won a two mile novices’ hurdle at Chepstow last time. Both Little Jon and Surprise Us have shown consistency but may just find the two market leaders to strong.
PLACEPOT: 4
3.20: The Harry Fry trained HENRYVILLE is in great form at present and made it back-to-back wins when easily winning at Fontwell over 2m4f six days ago. Della Sun is another inform and won here last time he will pose a threat. The main danger appears to be Any Given Day who will be fit from his outings on the Flat and won well when last seen hurdling at Cartmel in May.
PLACEPOT: 1 & 3
3.55: Whilst there may only be five going to post the race has a high-class turnout. The Philip Hobbs trained Colour Squadron was very consistent last season and could pose a danger here. Jonjo O’Neill’s TAQUIN DU SEUIL landed the Grade 1 JLT Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham festival and we expect there is more to come from him this season. He had both Double Ross and Wonderful Charm behind him that day so it is difficult to see them turning the form around here. Black Thunder was another in great heart last season until falling in the RSA Chase he could be a threat here.
PLACEPOT: 2
4.30: Neil Mulholland’s yard is in great form at present if Barton Rose can reproduce her form prior to pulling up at Warwick in March she will be a threat here. Jonjo O’Neill’s PETROVIC comes here in great form having comfortably landed a handicap at Worcester last month and should give A P McCoy another Newton Abbot winning ride. Our Maimie and Taggia are both inform and need to be respected here.
PLACEPOT: 6 & 1
5.00: The Evan Williams trained ABBEYGREY makes a quick reappearance after easily winning a three mile handicap at Huntingdon on Sunday, he’s up 7lbs but is fit whilst most of his rivals are returning from a summer break. This trip will suit Tea Caddy who won over three miles at Fakenham last November and Milosam will be a danger he was in great form when last seen back in the spring.
PLACEPOT: 4 & 3
5.30: Bilbrook Blaze may have been well beaten in a bumper on debut at Wincanton in April but we expect him to be better here for that experience. MORE BUCK’S is from the family of the mighty Big Buck’s and this son of Presenting won on debut at Exeter last time so should improve for that outing. Harry Fry’s Dashing Oscar and the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Northandsouth are both newcomers to note.