I narrowed my short list down to around 8 of the 30 runner field. I think it will be a genuine stamina test after some rain. 

 

At big Odds the likes of Fairyhill Run could plod round and pick up an enhanced place if it got really soft and at the price may not be a bad shrapnel bet. PUNITIVE and FAKEIRA for the Elliott team both have Course and Distance winning form and run off marks very close to that winning form. Although both have disappointed recently and accepting that this is a far tougher test than in those Course and Distance wins, it would be unwise I think NOT to have a similar small bet on both with bookies extending to at least 6th place.

 

Donkey Years is yet to prove stamina but is one who may outrun current early odds, DEFI BLEU is another Elliott horse who can always pop up at a price and certainly has the proven stamina to play a part if on a going day. Tenzing and The Goffer both strike me as horses who may be running in this a year too early who will benefit from the experience so well worth keeping an eye on. Espanito Bello is running in to form but this is a deeper race than normal. Royal Pageille for Venetia Williams undeniably has a touch of Class but has to give a lot of weight away and I think rates a place chance at best. I Am Maximus for Mullins has stamina to prove but a lovely profile and I'd see that as a similar chance to Tenzing and The Goffer. In that category I think we can definitely add both Amirite for Henry De Bromhead and Thedevilscoachman for Noel Meade. 

 

So, if we put aside Punitive, Fakeira and Defi Bleu for small side e/w bets (if you want them) and Fairyhill Run for a late small similar e/w IF it went heavier than soft, what are we left with?

 

ANGELS DAWN and STUMPTOWN finished 1-2 in the KIm Muir and that race usually throws up some excellent long term form lines. IF I have a niggle its just whether 25 days is sufficient recovery time after a tough race. They are both around 8/1 the field and if recovered have excellent chances. I will suggest a small reverse F/Cast on them and a small e/w stake singles too as there are 3 horses I am very quietly but very seriously confident about.

 

MAX FLAMINGO and CHAMPAGNE PLATINUM both had a sighter in this race last year finishing approx 8-10 lengths adrift in the front half of the finishers. I think it's a race where a sighter and a long term plan can pay off and I think it's clear from form and runs since that this race has been specifically targeted by both Trainers. Both horses carry lovely racing weights and I'll be very disappointed if they done improve from 8th and 9th in to at least enhanced place returns with luck in running and you always need a modicum of luck in a field of 30 runners.

 

The other one I really keep coming back to is CHEMICAL ENERGY it was a standout improver upped to 3 miles 6 furlongs at Cheltenham, again the recovery time is a niggle as is the rain but it's run well enough on soft to suggest that it can be a very serious player here. 

 

TIPS (1) Chemical Energy / (2) Max Flamingo / (3) Champagne Platinum (preference of shrapnel bets is Defi Bleu @ 28/1  / Punitive @ 50/1  / Fakeira @ 40/1  / Fairyhill Run @ 66/1 ) + advice on Stumptown @8/1 and Angels Dawn @ 10/1