TimeformBlog

Mission Complete has been a real improver as stamina has been drawn out in handicaps, his Exeter success on New Year's Day number 3 from his last 4 outings. Up another 10 lb, but taken to shrug that off up further in trip.

Andreo Bambaleo vastly improved when winning handicap hurdle at Hexham (2½m) for Simon West last season. Back to that level when placed on first completed start for this yard (blinkered) last time which offers hope.

Code Blue relished the emphasis on stamina when recording victory number 2 in the mud at Haydock last month (3m). Unexposed, especially at staying trips, so 6 lb rise should leave him competitive.

Overyou improved when winning at Cartmel and Hexham at up to 3m this season. However, below form last 2 starts and has since left Elliott Cooper.

Knockando showed a lot to like when powering clear on first crack at 3m when registering first success in very testing ground at Ayr 3 weeks ago. 11 lb rise for that win does make life harder, though.

Dawn Ride tends to save his best for this track (4 of his 5 chase wins gained here). Inferior over hurdles, and though his mark reflects that, he didn't show enough over C&D latest to warrant support.

Oniz Tiptoes is a temperamental stayer who managed to snap a lengthy losing run when getting up on the line at Sedgefield earlier this month. Hard to be confident he'll back that up, and this tougher anyway.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Mission Complete
2. Code Blue
3. Knockando

Timeform View: Mission Complete, Code Blue and Knockando are all last-time-out winners who are unexposed at this sort of trip, and they are preferred in that order.

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