A competitive race and one in which I think the favourite Encore Champs is vulnerable stepped up in trip.

 

The pair I most liked against the field are AARON LAD and ASK DILLON.

 

AARON LAD ran an eye-catching race back from an absence last time and is being backed here. Provided it doesn't "bounce" looks to have been found a nice opportunity and has the benefit of being a fresh horse against some who may now just be over the top especially on drier firmer Going. We saw a few at Aintree that just wouldn't let themselves go when push came to shove at Aintree, possibly just fatigued. AARON LAD is Course and Distance winner in 2018 off a mark then of 133 and off 132 and a nice 7lbs Claim here should be very competitive for the always dangerous Dr Newland.

 

ASK DILLON is exposed and certainly been busy but looks very solid value and has an impressive sequence over Hurdles since abandoning Chasing and with the Yard continuing to fire out winners and coming to a stage of the NH cycle where they usually have plenty of fresh ammunition looks the one to beat here.

 

 

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This one if anything looks slightly less competitive.

 

The obvious one is SINGLEFARMPAYMENT, up 4lbs for a first win in 5 years last time but regularly placed and particularly effective here. I can't see any reason why it can't win this and the price looks generous with the market leader (Born Survivor) lacking proven stamina at the trip. I'll have a win bet on Singlefarmpayment.

 

At better odds I like both THE MIGHTY DON for Nick Gifford who ticks every box in terms of stamina, handicap mark and form and looks ready to win as does COO STAR SIVOLA for Nick Williams who has a Course win on the Old Course and a few nice runs on the New Course and who should and has coped with Good to Soft on the Good side before.