16:20 – Eccentric
16:50 – Pop Noodle
17:20 – Miakoda
17:50 – Queenofdestruction
18:20 – Optician (NAP)
18:50 – Circles
19:20 – City Cyclone
19:50 – Cynosure
20:20 – Masqool
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
A case can be made for Ciara Storm, National Health and Cherry King, while market support for class-dropper Peter Piper may be significant. However, it may be worth siding with ECCENTRIC who wasn’t beaten far in a handicap over C&D five days ago and drops to this level for the first time.
Most of these are longstanding maidens but Rivas Rob Roy has 12 wins on his CV and could be a big factor if he can get back on track after a break. Init Together, who was in good form over hurdles in Ireland in the autumn, is respected on his stable debut, while Dors Delight and Twilight Guest look interesting after their creditable efforts at Chelmsford last month. However, the vote goes to POP NOODLE, who didn’t get any luck over C&D last time and that was a promising effort after wind surgery.
A maiden handicap in all but name. Preference is for MIAKODA, who showed enough in the autumn (including over C&D) to suggest he can win a race of this nature on his debut for James Owen. Dubai Magic, who went down by only a whisker here in September, is second choice ahead of Cuban Lynx whose latest effort bodes well.
Although QUEENOFDESTRUCTION was behind Star Chorus at Newcastle last time, the Crisford stable was a bit quiet at the time. They’re not now and she’s given another chance to confirm the promise of her C&D debut second in quite a useful race. Miss Funky Monk is second choice.
Wonder is the dark horse after just the five starts and his pedigree suggests this big step up in trip is worth a go, but this may lie between two old rivals. It’s one apiece between OPTICIAN (nap) and Parramount over C&D, but the former was having only his second go at the trip when winning well here 15 days ago and he may still have more to offer as a stayer.
Angel Of Antrim comes into this at the top of his game after completing a Newcastle hat-trick on Thursday, but this is a stiffer task off 11lb higher. Rosenpur and Ignac Lamar have been running well here lately, but the vote goes to CIRCLES who won a division of this race off 1lb lower last year and signalled a return to form when third at Dundalk last time.
Split Elevens (second choice) and Reputation look likely to give bold shows, but CITY CYCLONE was quite impressive when last seen over this C&D early last year and he’s quite temptingly treated now. Nights Over Egypt and Plumette can also be involved.
With further improvement very plausible, CYNOSURE is preferred. Island Bandit (second choice) has possibilities returned to this C&D, while Vibrato warrants respect on the back of another win. Noble Order is interesting back down in grade and Smart Hero could go well in the retained hood.
Crafter ran into plenty of trouble when runner-up at Lingfield last time and he’s strongly respected, but preference is for MASQOOL who recorded his ninth AW win when making virtually all over C&D on Boxing Day and is only 2lb higher than for that success. Others on the shortlist are Molly Valentine, who scored here two weeks ago, and Covert Legend who has possibilities if this sets up for his closing style.
16:20 – Eccentric
16:50 – Pop Noodle
17:20 – Miakoda
17:50 – Queenofdestruction
18:20 – Optician (NAP)
18:50 – Circles
19:20 – City Cyclone
19:50 – Cynosure
20:20 – Masqool
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change.
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