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This prestige-staying handicap looks a classy renewal of it this year, with quite a few contesting at the top of the handicap, giving it a nice overall look, with no horses out of the handicap. Low weight in these conditions usually helps and at the foot of the weights Lampion Du Bost could easily defy another penalty to land this big race today. However, there are some concerns regarding the stamina of the horse, and he could well just be outstayed by a bigger stronger horse, as he is on the small side.

High Chimes is still well unexposed and goes here for Evan Williams, whose record at this track doesn't make too much positive reading, but he has Paul Moloney on board here, suggesting that he fancies his chances off a low weight, with much in his favour in terms of conditions and trip. Aleron is turning into a consistent horse, but is best seen on good ground, even though he has ran some brilliant races on ground that was close to unraceable, but there is a belief that better ground horses can run above themselves when given real testing conditions. Rambling Minster off top weight will have no option but to race off level weights if landing this prize today, as he will be around the 150+ mark and I'm unsure that he has the ability to give weight away all round here today. While, Limerick Boy is often seem to good effect around here, but is another who has some stamina limitations off the high weight today.

Comply or Die could be a handicap blot in this, given how good he was as a novice, but is no betting proposition after the last run, where he was tailed off behind the rejuvenated Sir Remebrant at Cheltenham, a course that has suited him well in the past. Cloudy lane is quite solid at the front of the market for this race, having cruised round here, before emptying quite quickly, He often falls by the wayside in these events, but is still young for a chaser and may prove to be better then ever this year.

Both Aztec Warrior and Royal Rosa catch the eye off their fairly decent handicap marks and the former, who is trying this trip for the first time, could improve for the extra trip. Both have been tried at the top level and ran with credit, even though the formers grade 1 form has taken some knocks by the form shown in handicaps by New Little Bric, and he may find that the form shown in that race is a little on the weak side, even though the mark he is off today suggests he should go quite well with cut under foot suiting. However, he must give 5lbs to Howard Johnson's well hyped up Royal Rosa, who was supposed to have challenged the likes of stable mate Inglis Drever in the staying division over hurdles, but has always been likely to improve over fences, which he has done, but yet to discover the real class that had his established trainer claiming that he could be a gold cup horse. Conditions underfoot, which are bordering on soft ground, should suit this talented, yet quirky horse, and the 3 weeks since the Newcastle run should see him in very good shape for this race today. The trip of 3 miles is ideal and he jumps this kind of fences well on a stiff track that is his optimum in my view, it will take 3 very well handicapped horses to keep him out the places in this race and I'd be surprised if he doesn't run a big race in this today.

Royal Rosa 2/1, Cloudy lane 6/1, Aztec Warrior 8/1, Rambling Minster, Aleron, High Chimes 10/1, Lampion Du Bost 12/1, Comply or die, Jaunty Times 16/1, Captain Correlli 20/1, Limerick Boy 25/1, Go For one 33/1, I Hear Thunder 40/1

Verdict – Even though Dennis O'Regan isn't on board today. it will be hard for a fit Royal Rosa to be out of the frame in this and looks a solid bet at 8/1 in generally available with the bookmakers.

Selection – Royal Rosa 3 pts win @ 8-1 (10.0 BF) Place 3 pts @ 9/4 General.

Well Chief