An interesting opener that has an international feel to it with Aristoxene and Volcano Snow hailing from much respected yards from France and Germany respectively. However, Murat made an encouraging debut over timber at Hereford earlier in the month and Martin Pipe's charge is marginally preferred. The son of the aptly-named Useful showed a good attitude when he made his racecourse bow and did not go down for the want of trying when just run out of things close home. That run will have taught Murat plenty about what is expected of him from now on and he is sure to go well if Tony McCoy can initiate a similar effort to his debut this afternoon. Leighton Aspell has a fine record when teaming up with Lucy Wadham's runners so Burning Shore is one to monitor out of those likely to be available at bigger prices. However, it would be folly to expect either Aristoxene or Volcano Snow to have made the journey over just for the sake of it and both should be monitored closely if they are supported. There is very little information available about the latter so Aristoxene looks the safer option of the two this afternoon. His second to King Revo may prove to good form in time so he is definitely one to seriously consider. But Murat also looks to be one to keep on the right side of for the time being and the old firm of Pipe and McCoy are taken to prevail once again at a track that has served them well for winners down the years.
