Pieros

You can put a line through Solar System’s return when badly hampered by a faller on seasonal reappearance at Haydock. That came after a long absence. Having made eye-catching headway, he finished at one pace, suggesting the outing was needed. Last term was his best, bringing three handicap wins and sharper jumping, so another step forward looks likely now tackling staying trips. Harry Cobden takes over for the J. P. McManus runners, a clear upgrade in the saddle, and he enters the handicap near the foot of the weights, carrying only 11-5 from an attractive 116 mark. At around 11/2 he holds solid each-way claims with bookies going 5 places.

Myretown has been a bit unlucky since winning the Ultima Handicap Chase in tremendous style, showing great stamina when making all and repelling persistent challenges throughout. He is clearly the type who can stay marathon trips like today’s test. He was in the lead when falling at Newbury and made a mistake before staying on again here last time, so the talent is obvious but he needs to keep his concentration for the whole contest. Entries in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National show he is held in high regard at home. He will enjoy testing conditions and could get the run of the race from an uncontested lead, which makes him dangerous and worth a small bet at around 4/1.

This looks a tough race to solve, but I was taken by Whiskey Yankee on his return and hurdling debut in a warm novice at Ascot, featuring several previous winners. A full brother to Ed Keeper for the same connections and already promising in his sole bumper at Ffos Las, he relished testing conditions to beat the well-fancied Laguna Beach with authority after coming from an unpromising position. The manner of that success, going away late, suggests a step up in trip could unlock further improvement on his second start this term. He sits at 33/1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle and could develop into a dark, unexposed type to follow. At around 6/1 he makes clear each-way appeal.

Jurancon was one of the most promising novices last season, winning three of four hurdle starts in good style and being backed into favouritism for a very competitive Cheltenham handicap on his return. Unfortunately, both runs this term fell short of his best, although he might not have been fully fit. There are excuses, including big weights and a yard that was quiet at the time. With two outings behind him and a workable mark, he could bounce back from 131 now that Pipe’s horses are running well. A half-brother to Git Maker, who stayed forever, this searching stamina test should suit. At around 9/1 he looks underestimated and holds each-way claims.

Despite being nine, From The Clouds remains lightly raced and unexposed over fences after only two starts in this sphere. Twice a winner over hurdles on heavy ground, he made a pleasing chasing debut over this course and distance in November, finishing a solid second. He returned after a 73-day break in an ultra-competitive novice against rivals rated close to 140, so he had little chance on paper. In fairness, he stayed involved until the final furlong before tiring, looking in need of the run after the absence. Beaten just over five lengths, that still reads as a respectable effort. Back in handicap company and in a much easier race, he carries top weight but Jack Power takes off a valuable 5 lb, which could prove important in testing conditions. The yard is quiet at the moment, yet at around 11/2 he makes each-way appeal.

His recent form is nothing special, but a solid case can be made for Alto Alto, the winner of the last two editions of this race. He returns to his beloved Plumpton off a mark 3 lb lower than when successful last year on soft ground. The return to a visor is a clear sign of intent, and this five-time course winner saves his best efforts for this unique track. Chris Gordon has been the top trainer at Plumpton over the last five years with a 22% strike rate, so everything looks in place for a big run. At around 9/4, he looks the pick in what appears to be a trappy small-field contest.

This looks a very good chance for Let It Rain to land this valuable prize off what could be a very workable handicap mark of 124. The mare has been brought along carefully since showing plenty of promise when winning a couple of bumpers on soft ground, including a Listed event at Ascot. She made an excellent hurdling debut in a Chepstow novice when bumping into French Ship, now rated 146. The third horse home, Newton Tornado, has won twice since and is rated 133, while the fourth, Got a Dream, is on a hat-trick, so that reads like a very strong piece of form. She then went to Warwick and justified short odds by eight lengths with her head in her chest, and that race is working out well too. Rockola Vogue, second that day, has won three times since and is rated 128, with another subsequent winner coming out of the field. She returned from a long layoff in a valuable Ascot handicap and, after travelling strongly, could not quite match the fitness of the first two when a close third. She should come on plenty for that run and looks set to go very close here.

Despite already being eight, Gentleman Bill still has a relatively light racing profile, has shown a decent overall level of form, and might take advantage of this drop in class to win his first chase after three promising efforts. Already a course winner over hurdles, he bumped into the progressive Jordans Cross on chase debut at Aintree, with that rival going on to complete a hat-trick over fences recently. A lesser effort followed at Haydock in a race that did not suit, but he returned to form last time at Wetherby when third and not beaten far. He looks the type to improve further over fences in this easier contest and rates a bit of value at around 4/1.

Not particularly strong in the market and a bit on the drift into 5/2, but I’m A Lumberjack arrives on the back of an eye-catching run in what looked a strong race at Newbury, where he bumped into one. That was only his second handicap start and, despite a small penalty, he looks a horse to follow under this code. A winner of two novices at Bangor and Warwick over a similar trip on comparable ground, his jumping, once an issue, improved markedly last time. This is officially a 0-140 contest, but the top weight is rated 125, so it appears less competitive than his Newbury assignment, and there is plenty to like with the yard going well at the moment.

It is a wide-open, trappy contest with several arriving here holding a realistic chance, as the betting suggests. After reviewing recent runs and comparing them with the prices, there could still be value in Joker De Mai at around 15/2 for an each-way play. He did well for Harry Derham and produced a solid effort for new connections last time in a stronger race at Newbury. Prominent throughout, he jumped soundly and was briefly outpaced turning in before staying on for fourth in the closing stages. The extra distance today could suit him, especially dropping from a 0-130. If returning close to his best form, he looks capable of going well off a mark of 123.

Not easy to win with. Florida Dream is extremely consistent and keeps knocking on the door in similar handicaps. He sits near the foot of the weights, carrying only 10-8, with the excellent Brian Hughes retaining the ride for Nicky Richards. The step back up to 3 miles, for the first time since novice company, makes plenty of appeal given how strongly he finished his last two races over 2m4f. Off a mark of 125, he needs a victory to qualify for some of the Pertemps Network finals, so he looks worth an each-way bet at 11/2.

Final Demand was already smart over hurdles and always looked the type to improve once sent over fences. He has not disappointed in two starts in this discipline, winning at Navan on his seasonal return and chase debut, then landing the Grade 1 named after Faugheen at Limerick a month ago. He shapes like a strong stayer at this trip, so testing conditions should play to his strengths. Already prominent in the Brown Advisory market for the Cheltenham Festival, he looks set to run another excellent race as preparation for the spring targets. Not a huge price, maybe one for your Sunday acca.