The progressive LORD OF THUNDER would likely have gone close to making a winning chase bow had he not fallen 2 out at Cheltenham on return and can make amends. There are plenty of potential dangers, headed by Theformismighty and Welcom To Cartries.
Lord Of Thunder
Theformismighty
Welcom To Cartries
Win or Each Way
Each Way terms: 1/5 odds for first 3 places
1. Welcom To Cartries
J: Harry CobdenT: Paul Nicholls
F: 2128-
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-10
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
130
Days Since Last Run:
218
Verdict
Easy winner of sole start in Irish points and confirmed hurdling debut promise when scoring at Ascot. Unable to justify favouritism when runner-up in Grade 2 River Don and proved a let down sent handicapping at Ayr final start, but remains very much the type to make a better chaser. Tongue tied.
2. Lord Of Thunder
J: Brendan PowellT: Joe Tizzard
F: 3/P211-F
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-9
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
129
Days Since Last Run:
29
Verdict
Firmly on the up over hurdles in January, scoring twice in novice company around 2m4f at Wincanton. Looks the part for chasing and was making a very promising start (likely to have gone close) at this discipline when coming down 2 out at Cheltenham on return last month. Expected to be bang there.
3. Dubrovnik Harry
J: Bryan CarverT: Harry Fry
F: 3P6/403-
Price History:
-
Age:
8
Weight:
11-5
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
125
Days Since Last Run:
295
Verdict
Low-mileage 8-y-o who ran well on 2 of his 3 starts in handicap hurdles last season. Too rusty to justify short odds on his first and only try over fences in this race 2 years ago so needs to be sharper now.
4. The Doyen Chief
J: Tom CannonT: Alan King
F: 1/21U1-3
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
11-5
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
125
Days Since Last Run:
40
Verdict
Winning pointer/bumper performer who landed the odds without any fuss over hurdles at Market Rasen and made it 2 from 4 in that sphere in novice at Taunton. Shaped pretty well sent chasing after 8 months off when third at Market Rasen and open to further progress.
5. Dartmoor Pirate
J: Ben GodfreyT: Anthony Honeyball
F: 7/712242-
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
123
Days Since Last Run:
222
Verdict
Winning hurdle debut at Wincanton last season and better form in defeat since, notably his excellent fourth of 17 in very competitive EBF Final at Sandown in March, looking well suited by the step up to 2½m. Will make a chaser so warrants respect.
6. Bucksy Des Epeires
J: Charlie DeutschT: Venetia Williams
F: 2/124F92-1
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-1
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
121
Days Since Last Run:
2
Verdict
Successful start over fences in Ascot novices' handicap on return on Friday and can do better. Must be a doubtful runner just 48 hours on.
7. Denemethy
J: J. HoganT: Fergal O'Brien
F: 2716-
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
10-13
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
119
Days Since Last Run:
222
Verdict
Irish point winner who was runner-up on bumper debut in November. Much better for hurdles bow when landing maiden at Wincanton but failed to fire under a penalty at Ffos Las final start. Off 7 months. Makes chase debut in warm event.
8. Theformismighty
J: Harry SkeltonT: Dan Skelton
F: 53614-4
Price History:
-
Age:
7
Weight:
10-12
Gear:
cheekpieces and tongue strap
Official Rating:
118
Days Since Last Run:
26
Verdict
Expensive point winner who got off the mark at the fourth attempt over hurdles in 6-runner maiden at Market Rasen. Type to make a better chaser and made a promising start over fences when fourth at Chepstow on return. Can build on that with headgear applied.
9. Royal Jewel
J: Micheal NolanT: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White
F: 5122-2
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
10-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
117
Days Since Last Run:
25
Verdict
Progressive over hurdles at Exeter last season, including a maiden win around 2m and a near miss in a handicap over 18.5f. Resumed where he left off when good second at Newton Abbot on chase bow/return last month and likely to improve on that.