owl100

Much better over CD on heavy ground the last twice following big drop in the weights. Decent 3rd behind well weighted Classic Maestro in February before taking advantage of a drop into this grade last time. The second that day had won his previous run, and won agaion next time, and the pair were well clear of the third, so it was a fair effort for the level. He's up 7lb, but remains at class 5 level, and that mark would still be very lenient on his best French form.

Quite a few possible improvers on handicap debut here but going to chance Baghdad Central. He won for this jockey off it at Carlisle last April and didn't run too badly when fading late on on soft ground at Doncaster. Has a bit of ground to make up on My Friend Sean on that run but the better ground would seem preferable and he's 1lb below his winning mark.

Good hurdling form around this time last year, winning by 5l at Hereford in March off 103 before finishing a good second in a Cheltenham 0-135 off 107, a race which worked out well with the winner landing the Swinton next time up 5lb. Samtara was pulled up in May and hasn't reached that level in three runs since wind surgery this winter. Now down the weights to 98 though and dropped in grade into a class 5 for the first time since his last win (241 in C5 handicap hurdles). Not matched hurdles form over fences in 4 goes so far but this looks a bit easier than the other chases he's contested.