16:15

Shan Blue will probably start as favourite for this Listed event however he does have to a bit to prove on his performances in recent times and he doesn’t look obviously well handicapped and at his short odds, he is probably best watched here.

Both Oscar Elite and Tea Clipper had a hard race in the Ultima at Cheltenham and I fully expect them to give it another good go. Oscar Elite is still without a win over fences so Tea Clipper is preferred of the two given the wind surgery appears to have had a positive effect for him.

My preference in this race, however, is for Cap De Nord. The Christian Williams stable is flying at the moment and this is exactly the sort of race where he and his runners excel. Ridden by the ever capable Jack Tudor, he has been very competitive off this sort of mark in the past, Kitty’s Light enhanced this form line in the Scottish National on Saturday and he gave the impression that an 8lb rise may not stop him from following up here so I’m picking him to land the spoils.

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