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Lilting Verse ran well in a couple of points and then shaped nicely in two bumpers against the boys when she was ridden with a little too much patience but stayed on well. Against her own sex we expect her to be ridden more prominently and she has to be a major player in this…

Top Target ran an excellent race to finish second in his bumper at Worcester in October. He won an English point previously, so has experience and he enjoys jumping hurdles. This is a tough race and we think he has place chances, but hopefully better.

Trac is no forlorn hope. He won a hurdle off this mark last season and probably found the trip too far when well beaten at Newcastle two weeks ago. Has jumped round Auteuil's chase course so might be a bit of a dark horse here.

I've been waiting and waiting for soft/heavy ground for Shakem Up'Arry and he won't be getting it at Exeter today. We'll have to make do with good to soft and 2m3f, but on this galloping track we might get away with it. Looking forward to getting him back on the track.

The Wise Traveller ended his latest campaign with a nice win and the form has been franked by the runner-up a couple of times since. If he can return in similar vein after his break he should go well as he is still on the mark of a moderate animal.

This is an ideal race for Chianti Classico as on paper he has one to beat and he should do so. We are coming here as part of his racing education as he was far too free last time and needs to learn to settle.

Apple Rock did it nicely at Southwell the other day and escaped a penalty as that was a conditionals' race. He's theoretically 6lb well in and has come out of the race well but I'm always wary when taking on a fancied Gary Moore horse as seems to be the case today. Hopeful he can…

You can completely disregard Sporting Mike's first run but he went much better ridden patiently last time when third, a fair way back but belying his 66/1 odds. A progression from that would put him in close contention but he needs to put it all in, which I am a little unsure about.

Lady Percival won nicely here last time and I think the biggest threat to her following up is former stable-companion Percy Jones. I think he was well bought for only 24k at the sales last month and has shown form in better races. She's there to do her best, though, and if the jockey turns…

Lady Percival won nicely here last time and I think the biggest threat to her following up is former stable-companion Percy Jones. I think he was well bought for only 24k at the sales last month and has shown form in better races. She's there to do her best, though, and if the jockey turns…

Gortroe Joe made a creditable return when second to course-specialist Mercian Prince at Kempton. The likely favourite's defection should leave this three-horse affair at Joe's mercy.

Flann has not been in the best of form since returning to action. Despite a drop in his rating he still concedes weight to a couple of in-form opponents and is likely to find this hard work.

Applaus has a chance of reversing recent course and distance form with War Verge on better terms. He is much lower rated (20lb less) over hurdles than fences and while this inner hurdles track is less demanding than the outside flat circuit, they do have to go up that hill in the soft ground. Each-way…

Harper's Brook made a pleasing comeback at Carlisle and is in very good form. I hope he jumps as well as he did last time in which case he should be the one to beat.

Malinello has been off for almost two years and will probably improve for the race. That said, he isn't without a shout in this small field.

Feel The Pinch won around here over hurdles on his final start last season. He has had a warm-up this month and if he handles the switch to fences, he would look fairly handicapped only 2lb higher than the winning mark.

Caius Marcius continues to run well every time he goes to the track and sending him over three miles has extended the old boy's repertoire. He puts everything on the line every time and is the ideal partner for an inexperienced rider. He won well at Wetherby last time and even up 4lb, it would…

Paint The Dream made much of the running until tiring in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby. He has put up some very smart runs around here and down in trip back in handicap company, he could take plenty of pegging back.

Abuffalosoldier was staying on strongly into third when the race was all over at Fontwell last time. Stepping up from 2m3f to three miles around here should suit him and we are hopeful he can get in the mix.  

The last time Phillipa Sue made the track she was a 3-1 on shot at Ffos Las but could finish only third. She's had a good break since that January race and hopefully can put in a show more in line with her decent Irish bumper form before coming over to the UK.