Only a five-runner handicap over 3m but just 9lbs separates the field based on official ratings. Zanzibar Boy was withdrawn by Nicky Henderson which should make favourite Fire And Rain's task much easier. Lurking in the line-up is in-form Dusty Dane and Free Gift, who will both relish this good ground.
Fire And Rain finally fulfilled his potential two starts ago when he bounded to a massive 18 length success at this track in March, beating some exposed types but he looked impressive even though he jumped left over some fences. He was turned out again 10 days later at Ascot and again showed his improvement by winning by 12 lengths over 2m 6f, where he looked to be outpaced and beaten rounding the final bend but he produced a superb late run under Noel Fehily to win again for Emma Lavelle. He beat a previous winner that day so the form looks solid and he may improve again to defy his raise in the handicap. He has been raised 19lbs for those two wins and looks progressive with the extra two furlongs likely to suit this free-going sort.
Dusty Dane may have to settle for a place behind the well-handicapped market leader but if that one's jumping folds then he may well be able to capitalise. A certain stayer having ran well over further on his last two starts, his current handicap mark looks fair but in his current mood he could win again. His win-ratio is poor but he goes well on fast ground so it looks assured that he will give his true running. On his last start, he was beaten into second by a fast-improving rival who went on to complete his hat-trick, beating Dusty Dane into second by three lengths. Bill Turner has his string in good order and Peter Toole is a very good 7lb claimer.
Free Gift looks an interesting contender for the Alner's, who have been in good form of late. Even though he is an 11-year-old, Free Gift still retains his ability as he showed when he won a 2m 5f handicap at Wincanton where he beat a well-fancied rival into second and the two were a distance clear of the remainder. He ran at Fontwell two weeks ago and ran well in third, where he was beaten five lengths by Alan King's Porters War. He looked outpaced that day so the step up in trip could well suit him.
Oniz Tiptoes looks up against it carrying top weight. He is a course and distance winner and has the impressive Rhys Flint aboard but he has struggled of late. The ground will be of help but he has to improve to trouble the first three mentioned. Harris Bay will stay this distance but has been out of form for a long time and it will be some shock if he were to win this.
Selections - 1st - Fire And Rain, 2nd - Free Gift, 3rd - Dusty Dane.
Result - 1st - Fire And Rain, 10/11 fav, 2nd - Free Gift, 7/1, 3rd - Dusty Dane, 3/1.
Fire And Rain made a mockery of his current handicap mark as he trounced his four rivals by an easy 13 lengths. He jumped well in the main despite drfiting left over a few of his obstacles but he had the field in trouble rounding the bend. He set a reasonable pace and Noel Fehily gave his mount a breather before kicking on again in the final three furlongs and he looks one to keep an eye on as he goes for a four-timer. Now he has shown he stays 3m, more doors will open up for this exciting and improving six-year-old. Free Gift failed to convince in staying this trip but finished four lengths clear of the rest. He made a blunder two out but never looked likely to challenge the winner, but he remains in good form and may win again if dropped back in trip. Dusty Dane disappointed back in third as he looked laboured throughout and jumped sloppily. He was only just clear of Harris Bay, who looked likely to run into second but he made a shocking error three out and that put paid to his remote chances. Oniz Tiptoes finished tailed off and ran poorly.
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