Dickie Lewis makes most appeal in this handicap chase and he is nominated to get the better of Shulmin and Gunner Royal. The selection did well to chase home Has Scored last time out given the ground was not ideal, and with these conditions much more up his street he can resume winning ways. Gunner Royal was third behind Dickie Lewis last time, his best race under Rules so far, and he is another that should be more at home on this ground. Shulmin won well when beating Deuteronomy at Sedgefield last time, but her 2 career wins have come on fast ground and she could be one to take on today in these testing conditions. Alfabet Souk has failed to complete on his last 2 starts, but he did win at Newcastle back in January and a reproduction of that effort would make him competitive today. However, he is far from reliable and a safer bet looks to be Dickie Lewis who gets our vote.
Dickie Lewis 3-1 (11-7) Made most, headed 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Has Scored (10-11) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
Gunner Royal 8-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, reminders 10th, hit 13th, rallied 4 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Has Scored (10-11) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
Westmorland (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Towards rear, struggling from halfway, 8th of 17, 22l behind Lazy Lena (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gs in Jun.
Stormont Dawn (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Always behind, 6th of 9, 42l behind Reckless Venture (9-11) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
Shulmin 16-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 14th, went 2nd 2 out, ridden, 2 lengths down last, stayed on well flat, led near finish, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Mar beating Deuteronomy (11-1) by a nk, 14 ran.
Wild Chimes (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, took keen hold, every chance when blundered 3 out, not recover, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Captain Aubrey (11-12) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Mar, 10 ran.
Northern Vic (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) In touch, driven to chase leaders 4 out, outpaced next, 4th of 9, 21l behind Has Scored (10-11) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
Fourpointone 16-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 7th of 14, 45l behind Shulmin (10-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Mar.
Alfabet Souk 13-2 (10-7) Led to 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Boris The Blade (11-7) at Ayr 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar, 11 ran.
Kalic d'Alm (FR) 8-1 (9-8) Held up, effort 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 12, 42l behind Reckless Venture (10-6) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar.
Lost Property (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) In tch til outpcd aft 14, 4th of 11, 30l behind Silk Parasol (11-7) at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Lethem Present (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Chased leader, lost place 10th, soon driven, behind when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Dickie Lewis (11-1) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Feb, 10 ran.
