One of my favourite races every year and I belatedly looked through the ante-post list, seems there was a declaration today and there are now 24 runners. Kitty's Light is the favourite with all the books at 4/1 except Billies who go 5/1. Thought I would lay it and was expecting 7.0 or so on here. Shocked to find 9.0/26.0 as the market.
No wonder the industry can refund horses that come under starters orders and unseat at the off, because they are thieving big time everywhere else!
As to the race itself, I doubt the going will be good with 15mm of rain expected today and up to 20mm on Thursday. Handicap is fooked though with only 8 runners likely to be in the handicap; soft going may negate some of that disadvantage but clearly looks worth waiting for final decs although I am sure Frodon will run (don't know about Hewick but as the current champion can see him running) and that will only help by 6lbs.
Doesn't look like the great race it used to be.
As to the race itself, I doubt the going will be good with 15mm of rain expected today and up to 20mm on Thursday. Handicap is fooked though with only 8 runners likely to be in the handicap; soft going may negate some of that disadvantage but clearly