1.20 I always had a feeling Johnnywho might be worth backing when going handicapping after the win at Carlisle , connections were very over ambitious in then going for tough graded races after ; but he is now in a class of race he can be very competitive in and this type of trip should be ideal with the ground no problem either. Advised Bet Johnnywho 1/2 pt ew @ 8’1 firms offering 6 places
1.55 I thought Ile Atlantique was given a bit to do last time out at Cheltenham and if sat a bit closer that day could have finished a clear 2nd behind the impressive stable mate. There is nothing of that one’s calibre in this and he just strikes me as being overpriced at the current odds. Advised Bet Ile Atlantique 1/2 pt ew @ 15’2 William Hill
2.30 A tricky handicap to solve with plenty in with some sort of chance , I will take a swing at Twig who was rogressive last year, winning three times on good ground, and following a break he was better than ever when runner-up in the Ultima at Cheltenham last month under regular rider Beau Morgan; up 4lb to a career-high mark but may well play a leading role once more. Advised Bet Twig 1/2 pt ew @ 15’2 firms offering 4 places
3.05 The staying contest see’s plenty renewing rivalry from the Cheltenham stayers race , if I had to pick one of those it would be Buddy One who came into that Cheltenham race a big price but ran a great race to be 4th & I could see him lasting longer on this flat track. Advised Bet Buddy One 1/2 pt ew @ 11’1 firms offering 4 places
4.00 The big one ! and it looks a very good race this year. Last years winner Corach Rambler ( tipped on here last year ) has been at the head of the market for a while now in a bid to retain the title , but that has never been an easy task in this race and he is way higher in the weights this time ; But I can see him running well once again and the price has lengthened somewhat in recent days to make plenty of appeal. Chambard ran away with the Becher chase here back in December and he went into my mind for this way back then , he has snuck into the race off a light weight and while he has been out of form since a return to these fences has seen many a revival of horses with good runs at them come back into form. Mahler Mission’s jumping has generally looked far more of a strength than a weakness and he is well worth this second crack at a marathon distance after having that National Hunt Chase snatched away from him so late in the day 13 months ago , he’s a second-season chaser who may well improve again and makes serious appeal to me. Advised Bets Corach Rambler 3/4 pt ew @ 7’1 firms offering 6 places. Chambard 1/2 pt ew @ 66’1 firms offering 6 places. Mahler Mission 1pt ew @ 16’1 firms offering 6 places