12:50 Southwell

REPUBLICAN (best price 10-1) looked in need of his return to action last time-out when fifth and most likely would have finished a lot closer without being badly hampered at a crucial stage of the event. He was the best of these over hurdles and confirmed his stamina for three miles at Haydock to finish only one length behind a couple of 133-rated individuals and that was in a much better grade than this over hurdles. He is extremely well treated on last year’s evidence in which he finished an excellent sixth in a Grade 3 back in March 2020 on handicap debut from a mark of 124 and is seven-pound lower here. Brendan Powell has been booked to ride and his mount is a major each-way player on just his fourth start over fences with up to four places widely available. 
Republican - 0.5pts e/w @ 10/1
GET YOUR OWN (best price 6-1) got going far too late when a fast-finishing fourth last time over shorter, so this seems the right time for connections to step him up to three-miles. He achieved a smart level of form over hurdles last term and was successful on his sole visit to this track when seeing off the 125-rated Caddyhill with plenty to spare. He’s shaped with encouragement on both chase starts, including when third on chase debut and being open to considerable improvement, the seven-year-old looks sure to make his presence felt from an attractive mark here with four places generally available. 
Get Your Own - 0.5pts e/w @ 6/1

My Macho Man

MY MACHO MAN (best price 12-1) has plenty of course experience to draw upon and, although still winless in this sphere, the five-year-old has a fair each-way chance in this much easier grade than last time. He’s been highly-tried by connections in this sphere already and wasn’t disgraced when fifth in a class-two event here last year and has posted some respectable efforts since, including back here the last twice in higher-graded events. Firstly, when splitting two horses rated 107 and 117 to finish second before shaping better than the margin suggested in a class-three last time when competing from out of the handicap. He’s able to compete off an unchanged mark here and could be a lively player at a big price with four places widely on offer.

My Macho Man - 0.5pts e/w @ 12/1