Despite the tailwind here so far and the drying ground and preference to be up with the pace its key to note that horses with proven stamina have tended to hit a turbo button out of the dip and I'm mindful to find proven and solid 7 furlong form and if a horse has run well at a mile, I think it's a benefit.

 

We can see some bring AW fitness, some have past evidence of running well fresh and first time out , whilst others have form that suggest they will need this run.

 

The one to beat is Poet Master for the  Karl Burke team, I fear it but I am equally happy to take it off a mark of 100 and far less experience than some of the others here. Pearle D'Or for O'Meara looks too short based on clear evidence that  it will surely come on for this run based on last season's debut run. Northern Express is another tough competitor but one who may need this run. Biggles is decent fresh and would be reserve if we have a non runner. Misty Grey is AW fit but probably best on that surface and Percys Lad is a bit of a Chester specialist and worth TRACKING for the May Meeting there in a few weeks time. At bigger odds and the most unexposed and hardest to quantify is Security Code who has moved from Gosdens to Hannons , lightly raced but some 1 mile form and off the track for 14 months.

 

I was left with a shortlist of 4 but with 15 runners there are enhanced odds so the 4th in preference order who is CATCH THE PADDY for Kevin Ryan may be an options for those who want the added shrapnel bet but for the majority, I'll focus on my top 3 rated, who are speculative in terms of the market.

 

FARHH TO SHY has the benefit of a turf run in the lincoln, it has Course and Distance form here though and interestingly won second time out last season, it's got everything we are looking for therefore and I'll be disappointed if it's not kicking on and making eye catching late progress out of the dip. HAVANA BLUE was a runner up in this race last year, a Course and distance winner who has run well fresh and it will be interesting to see what Julie Camacho can do with another nice recruit. LOVE DE VEGA from the Johnston yard is sure to be primed for this off an AW campaign and is a Distance winner on Turf and off a mark of 88 can be a serious place contender at bigger early odds.