nickpilbeam

I narrowed this down to No Questions Asked & booster Bob based on some winnning trends for the race. I'll back both ew at the price but on here I'll just do the selection who I think has slight edge here given weight carried and had his mark protected a little from that run here in Jan. The trends show we don't want top or bottom rated for this, or anything wearing certain headgear, rated between 130 and 149, with a 1st or 2nd in last 3 races. I don't like the fact both my picks like to be held up so hoping they can keep with the pace from midfield for this. I think we'll know before half way if we're gooing to have much to shout about here.

Bar one fall, the horse is unbeaten, fits the winning trends, and could be the first English-trained winner of the race since Constitution Hill. Looks to have been primed for this and has a 2-from-2 record at the track, including the Turners last year at the Fez. This doesn't look like the strongest renewal of the race in my eyes.

I've narrowed this down to 3 using the following trends, between 1-3 hurdle wins, won one of last 3 races, max dist won between 1m 7.5fl - 2m .5fl, either down 2.5fl or up 0.5 or 1 fl since last run, last run was not hcp, was a hurdle and no tongue tie worn. If you then look only at yards in Leinster & Central England that finds you 8 of the last 10 winners. The three that remain are the selection and 2 of Willie Ms, Madness D & Bertutea. Willie doesn't target this race and hasn't won it before from 25 entries so that leaves the selection. Yard is going ok and has an ok record at Nam but maybe not the Fez, connections have however had Fez success before so this might be the plan. Horse won well on heavy and has run over further, that stamina / power might come in handy as they come up the hill

Not a race I'm that interested tbh but quite a simple one to unpick if trends hold this year. 8 of the last 11 winners were the top rated going into the race, and Lulamba is that horse this year. Its not one I'll go heavy on as there are dangers so probably just one for a multi/acca muggy punt. I can't be having the face at even shorter odds after surgery and a few months off, but I won't be surprised if Willie wins this again.

The selection has G1 form which is a good trend in itself for winners of this race (just a run in G1). I do like the fav and that may bolt up having won both its last two starts convincingly but it has not competed in a G1 before. This is still an ew price (just at 5/1) and won at the DRF in a race thats had 8 previous winners from there winning this. I am a bit concerned that this likes to be held up or run in midfield as most winners recently seem to have been prominent or led, if JJ can keep with the pace then this does have a good turn of foot and may power up the hill.