Stratford's opening event boils down to two, namely Traditional Bob and Grand Lahou, and it is the former that is taken as being capable of notching a second win over C&D this year. Traditional Bob put up an improved effort on the aforementioned win when trained by Graeme McPherson, and the seven-year-old has gone on to run well when finishing runner-up on both occasions since, joining current trainer Evan Williams prior to his latest outing. The testing conditions are not a cause for concern, and Traditional Bob can get us off to the best of starts.
Moving on to the 15:10 at Southwell, where Railway Rico is expected to produce a much better performance than on his latest outing now returned to hurdles and with the cheekpieces refitted. The seven-year-old was let down by his jumping on his chase debut at Newton Abbot, folding tamely having blundered at the twelfth fence, and he is more than capable of bouncing back in this grade having won a selling hurdle at Stratford in March of this year. Kingdom of Munster is likely to prove the main danger, but Railway Rico is a confident selection.
Heading back to Stratford for the 15:50 can pay dividends, as the Venetia Williams-trained Nobunaga will appreciate the return to two miles and can gain his third win of the campaign. The two wins, at Ludlow and this venue, saw Nobunaga finally living up to some of the promise shown over hurdles in 2010/11, scoring easily on each occasion. The step up in trip did not suit last time at Ffos Las, the seven-year-old travelling best but having no response to the winner at the finish, and Nobunaga is taken to see off Passato this afternoon.
Timeform SmartPlays
Back Traditional Bob @ 2.89/5 in the 14:20 at Stratford
Back Raliway Rico @ 3.211/5 in the 15:10 at Southwell
Back Nobunaga @ 3.185/40 in the 15:50 at Stratford
