Mick Easterby's Gastornis is the likely favourite, as he boasts a consistent level of form, including a cracking second under a penalty at Aintree last time. He is sure to have been well schooled for his debut over hurdles. Smiths Landing made his timber debut here in December when fourth to Florida Rain, but was a place behind another Easterby inmate then and may find this one too good as well. In turn they both may find one too good in the shape of Spider Music from the in-form yard of Ferdy Murphy. Very highly regarded at home, he has yet to transfer that form to the track, although he did run well in both bumpers, at Kempton and Warwick. He got bogged down in the testing conditions on his hurdling bow at Leicester, but the ability is there, and as he is learning with each outing, a chance is taken that Spider Music will improve enough to open his account on the way to better things.
