Neu-Servo Servo Motor Repair Handicap Chase

Leg 1 Selections: Dalkingstown, Townshend

Peter Bowen’s DALKINGSTOWN has posted good runner-up efforts the last two times since coming good over fences in Sedgefield back in January. He went close in this grade on his penultimate start off only a 3Ib lower mark and the combination of a tongue tie and cheekpieces are attached here, which could prove effective. Given his consistency of late, and his trainer in decent form, it makes sense to keep him on side in leg one. 

TOWNSHEND isn’t exactly consistent nowadays but he drops into this grade for the first time in his career and is 31Ib below his last winning mark, which came at Ascot in a much better race. If staging a revival, this eleven-year-old has the back-class and form within his inventory to make an impact. His trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies, has an excellent strike-rate at this course (22%) over the last five seasons, so he’s got sound claims of getting into the picture. 

14:00 Neu-Servo Electronic Repair Handicap Chase

Leg 2 Selections: Ashoka

The Dan Skelton-trained ASHOKA has been in great form over hurdles recently this year, in which he’s won three on the spin prior to a good third when seeking a five-timer last time. Upon reflection of his previous chase form, he is certainly well-handicapped to have a say on his return to the bigger obstacles.

His last win in this sphere was at Aintree, where he defied a mark of 130, and he’s 10Ib lower in this much easier assignment. He was below-par here on his sole visit over hurdles but that was a long time ago and, now that he’s found his mojo, he’s a major threat to all in this line-up back over fences under his optimum conditions.

14:30 Neu-Servo Precision Spindle Repair Handicap Hurdle

Leg 3 Selections: Ace Time, Rebel Royal

This is a very difficult race to solve, where most participants need to bounce back, but for leg three, a chance is taken on ACE TIME. Likely to carry fewer units than most, he’s not been in the best of form lately, but is operating below his last winning mark, so is well-treated and could reach the frame at a big price, which would certainly eliminate a lot of tickets if the favourite doesn’t place.

REBEL ROYAL last tasted victory nearly three years ago but he’s been in solid nick of late and was in the process of running well until being hampered and falling four out last time. He gets into this race off a pound lower mark and conditions couldn’t be more perfect for this nine/year-old either. If that mishap last time hasn’t left a mark, he should go very well in this grade.

15:05 Neu-Servo Siemens Servo Handicap Hurdle

Leg 4 Selections: Isaac Wonder, Persia

ISAAC WONDER is a much better chaser than a hurdler but he’s very well-treated if he can back up that chase form in this sphere and has done most of his racing in class three events. This is a class four and he has defied a mark of 119 over fences before, so this mark of 108 over hurdles is exploitable. His best form has been on good ground, which is ideal, and although he’s up against other nicely treated rivals, this might be the time he makes an impact in this sphere.

PERSIA has been beaten out of sight the last twice for his current handler but they were in much better events than this one and he should appreciate the ease in grade. He was smart on the Flat, in which he was rated as high 100, and his fourth in a Listed event over hurdles in Ireland is a solid piece of form. He does need to take a step forward from his two runs this year, but that’s possible off his reduced mark on nice ground. I’ll side with these two for leg four.

15:35 Neu-Servo Cancer Research Handicap Hurdle

Leg 5 Selections: Miranda, Percy's Word

The Paul Nicholls-trained MIRANDA is undeniably the class act in the field and while she was well beaten in the Imperial Cup, she wasn't disgraced on the Flat in May and will find this a lot easier. She won in this grade at Ludlow off only a two pound lower mark back in December and has plenty of other good form in the book in this sphere too. If back to her best for the champion trainer, the top-weight could be too good for these with Angus Cheleda taking off his valuable five-pounds.

PERCY’S WORD, however, is the only one who arrives in good form and in his last nine starts, he’s only been out of the top two once. He returned an impressive winner on his return at this course and ran well to fill the runner-up spot a week later at Warwick. All of his best form has been on good ground but he has run well when the ground has been a bit softer. He gets loads of weight from his main rivals and the return to this longer trip should be no issue, so he’s definitely one you want to include.

16:05 Neu-Servo Industrial Pump Repair Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Leg 6 Selections: Pop The Champagne

Fergal O’Briens POP THE CHAMPAGNE has been penalised for scoring at the third time of asking in this sphere earlier this month but considering she pulled hard throughout, she was still way too good for her rivals that day. The way she went through that race last month and quickened up nicely late on suggested she’s turned a corner and, if able to back that up here, I think she’s going to be very tough to beat with more to come.

Her stablemate Sorceress Medea might be the main danger, who makes her hurdles debut, and could be a player. While the same could be said about Night Fever, who was useful in Germany and could be anything in this sphere. However, I’ll stick with the favourite on the last leg of today’s column, who sets a good standard and can make it back-to-back wins under Paddy Brennan for a trainer who’s operating at an impressive 28% strike-rate in the last two weeks.