Horse-by-horse guide to Wetherby

El Dorado Allen (Joe Tizzard)

Has always been at – or close to – his best first outing, so the freshness angle isn’t worried about him at all, while there’s an argument to suggest he remains open to a bit more d improvement as a three mile despite signing last season with a low key effort at Aintree. Earlier form at the start of the year would give him some real claim to success here, as he clearly has the pace to handle a flat track on what could be pretty decent ground.

Painting the dream (Fergal O’Brien)

Very progressive on the fences over the past two years overall and, unlike most players here, he had a warm-up run that ended in a handicap at Chepstow earlier in the month. He’ll have to leave those performance miles behind to be competitive in this category, but he’s fair on his mark based on an impressive Greatwood Gold Cup victory at Newbury in March and could get a share of the action if he was bouncing. sort of form on Saturday.

Sam Brown (Anthony Honeyball)

Looked a serious Grand National prospect as he slammed Shan Blue and the others into a competitive-looking Aintree handicap in April, all the more creditable as he had already done his best on the proving ground. Could be exploited a bit against this lot, though, and probably best watched for now.

Ahoy Senor (Lucinda Russell)

Giant horse who missed a few engagements last October (including here) because of the terrain before knocking the rider down when he appeared to be held up for his hunting debut at Carlisle. He, however, put that behind him by winning three of his next five starts, including a fantastic performance in freshman company at Aintree, where Bravemansgame and L’Homme Presse admittedly didn’t seem to form. Can jump a bit to his right but has a huge engine and seems one of the brightest fighters in the second season.

Bravemansgame (Paul Nicholls)

Seriously impressive Novice at the start of last season, having also shown his freshman class with a victory in the Challow Novices’ Hurdle over smaller obstacles the year before. Missed Cheltenham after heavy rain in March and failed to live up to expectations on his return to action at Aintree in April, when he trailed 30 lengths from Ahoy Senor. No surprise to see him start in the best possible way here, as the relatively tight track and steep jump test will suit him down to the ground.

Secret Investor (Paul Nicholls)

Has spent a lot of time off the track, so while his loss to the neck of stable mate Clan Des Obeaux in a Newbury Grade Two when last seen in February 2021 obviously reads well, you have to think he going to improve a notch or two for racing here. Has a good strike rate overall and tends to be a sure jumper so realistic he thinks he’ll acquit with credit.

Earn My Wings (Christian Williams)

Remarkable mare who couldn’t get out of 120 (BHA ranking) over hurdles but took off as a hunter towards the end of the 2020/21 campaign. Last year was again a real success as she won three major handicaps, culminating in victory in the Scottish Grand National, and she was still in the hunt before falling two fences from the finish in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown when last seen. Stamina is obviously her forte, so no surprise if she lost her feet here when the taps are on.

VERDICT

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eldorado allen might be the underrated one, having won the Haldon Gold Cup for the first time last year before proving himself over longer distances, but it’s hard to walk away from Hey Señor and BRAVEMAN GAMEtwo of Britain’s brightest fighter prospects.

The preference in these particular conditions would be for the runner from Nicholls, who jumps for fun and just wasn’t himself when wading behind Ahoy Senor at Aintree in the spring.

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