Willie Muggins

As an each-way profile, I'd keep onside Uhtred Ragnarson. This Alan King-trained five-year-old ran creditably when third at Market Rasen last month, finishing with purpose after being outpaced at a crucial stage. The King yard maintains strong form with three winners from eleven runners and a 67% run-to-form over the past fortnight. Philip Armson's three-pound claim assists his cause, and his official rating of 107 places him at the lower end of this field where weight concessions work in his favour. His record at two miles stands at one win from eight starts with two places, demonstrating competence at the trip. The key reason he may be overlooked is his tendency to take a keen hold early, which has compromised his finishing effort on occasions, and his occasional jumping errors create risk. However, if settling better in a truly run race on this galloping track, he possesses the latent ability to outrun expectations.

EACH-WAY TIP: ISLAND RUN As an each-way profile, I'd keep onside ISLAND RUN. Philip Hobbs's nine-year-old possesses figures that demand respect at this level. A peak Topspeed rating of 124 at three miles and an RPR of 132 over distance represent numbers that would make him highly competitive if reproduced. The son of Blue Bresil stayed on when second at Lingfield over two miles seven furlongs last time, suggesting his appetite for racing remains intact. His distance record of one win and seven places from thirteen starts at three miles and beyond confirms he thrives at this sort of stamina test. Carrying just 10-12 at OR104, he receives significant weight from the market principals. His proven form on Good to Soft (1-2-7) and distance credentials are assets, while his breeding through dam Penneyrose Bay has produced a genuine staying type. His peak figures at this trip represent the highest RPR in the field over hurdles, and any return towards that level would see him go close. A patient ride in this likely steadily run affair could see him stay on into the frame.

WIN TIP: DRUMGILL My selection for the Bet With Tote Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase is DRUMGILL, the John Patrick Ryan-trained seven-year-old who won a Listed handicap chase over this course and distance in November. That day he beat today's principal, Touch Me Not, by two and a half lengths, with Western Diego a further neck behind in third. His exceptional right-handed record of seven wins and five places from thirty starts suits Fairyhouse's configuration perfectly. The 3f uphill finish plays to his stamina reserves. Michael Kenneally, who partnered him to that November success, retains the ride and understands the horse's rhythm, typically holding him up before producing a late run. His jumping has been reliable in recent starts at this venue, where his course record reads 1-0-3, and he arrives in career-best form following that breakthrough Listed success.

EACH-WAY TIP: MAHLER MOON As an each-way profile, I'd keep onside MAHLER MOON. The Fergal O'Brien-trained eight-year-old is a previous course winner at Newbury, having won a 3m handicap hurdle here in March when staying on gamely to beat Holokea by a length and a half. His chase form reads less impressively on paper, but he's been running with credit in defeat, finishing second to today's selection Buckna at Hereford and third behind Captain Boudet at the same venue on his most recent start. The key attraction is his handicap mark of OR 103, which represents a significant weight advantage over the principals ??" he receives 19 lb from Buckna. His distance record of 1-3-8 at around three miles confirms he stays this trip emphatically, and Jonathan Burke's booking for a yard operating at a 70% return-to-form suggests they mean business. The obvious caveat is that his chase form doesn't match his hurdles best, but the weight differential and course experience could see him outrun expectations in a race where the pace may not suit all of those towards the head of the weights.