WALK IN THE MILL can grind down his rivals in Newbury’s 2.25.
This competitive handicap is actually a drop in class for Robert Walford’s seven-year-old who comes here fresh after almost two months off.
He didn’t run his usual race at Cheltenham last time but that was a rare blip for a chaser who has made giant strides this season.
His best effort came at Wincanton in January when he flattened some decent rivals in a similar contest to this one.
He jumped well and quickly ended the contest when putting the burners on after jumping the second-last.
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He has gone well around here before, when going down in a driving finish over 2m this time last year. That trip was just on the short side and he will appreciate this extra stamina test.
A bit of give in the ground is fine but it won’t matter if it dries out either as he seems to go on pretty much anything.
He doesn’t have a lot of miles on the clock and still has some improving to do.
It will be interesting to see what effect first-time blinkers have on Gala Ball who cost himself any winning chance here last time with a bad mistake.
He has had a little help from the handicapper since then and should prove best over today’s trip. He looks progressive and Richard Johnson could try to nick this from the front.
SHADES OF MIDNIGHT has been running well without getting his just rewards. That can change in Kelso’s 2.40 where the soft ground should be right up his street.
He was third at Ayr last time out but it was a better run than that finishing position suggests and he was involved in a bunch finish.
The handicapper realises that was a decent effort too and has stuck him up 1lb for his trouble. It was over 2m4f which only just started to bring his obvious stamina into play so this longer trip should be right up his street.
Isaacstown Lad finished a place ahead of the selection last time and they go off the same weights again. He’s another who relishes this bottomless ground and there won’t be a lot between them again.
The feeling is that this distance will suit Shades Of Midnight even better and that’s why he gets the nod.
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DON BERSY looks ready for a step up in distance and he gets his chance in Newbury’s 3.35.
He showed some promise in his native France and was snapped up by present connections and brought across the Channel.
After a false start on debut when he took a clumsy tumble when going well, it has been full speed ahead with a hat-trick of victories.
The first of those wins came at Sandown where he beat some useful rivals without really hitting top gear. He followed up by winning a lesser contest at Warwick ahead of Dino Velvet who ran well in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham last week.
He warmed up for this by completing his hat-trick at Haydock where rider James Davies didn’t have to get serious at any point.
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All of those wins were at 2m but he gives the impression that his extra quarter-mile will be ideal and it was good to soft when he scored last time so the ground is fine.
Buckle Street is taking a fair step up in class after winning at Southwell last time out. He handled the big field well there and is another who shapes as though this longer distance will bring out the best in him.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
1:40 Cousin Oscar
2:15 Some Invitation
2:50 Hughesie
3:25 Millicent Silver
4:00 Over My Head
4:35 Millanisi Boy
5:10 Seelateralligator
NEWBURY
1:50 Shotavodka
2:25 Walk In The Mill
3:00 Copper Kay
3:35 Don Bersy
4:10 Sir Antony Browne
4:45 The Last Day
5:20 Sew On Target
LINGFIELD
2:00 Arnarson
2:35 Great Expectations
3:10 Vettori Rules
3:45 Midtech Star
4:20 Verne Castle
4:55 Popsilca
5:30 Duck A L’orange
KELSO
2:05 Runswick Royal
2:40 Shades Of Midnight
3:15 Yala Enki
3:50 Ascot De Bruyere
4:25 Casual Cavalier
5:00 Misfits
5:35 Carlton Ryan
WOLVERHAMPTON
5:45 Mr Christopher
6:15 Jupiter Light
6:45 Lily Fontana
7:15 Hells Babe
7:45 Ryan The Giant
8:15 Invincible Ridge
8:45 Strictly Carter
9.15 Tasaaboq