The market for this annual cavalry charge is dominated by Forgotten Voice, who by all accounts is a group horse masquerading as a handicapper.
The Jeremy Noseda-trained colt has come back from injury with two stylish all-weather handicap wins this season and could be anything. Certainly, his current handicap mark of 101 looks to underestimate him, and any punters who managed to get on at double-figure odds have a good bet on their hands, but not now. I seem to remember a similar scenario last year with Bankable, who had a similar profile and was backed as if defeat was out of the question (went off 13/8); and look what happened to him! At least Bankable had run on turf, unlike Forgotten Voice, which makes the current best odds of 9/2 (Paddy Power) unappealing.
Bankable's trainer Luca Cumani had a strong candidate this year in the shape of Riggins, but that one was pulled out recently, leaving the Newmarket trainer solely represented by the relatively unsung five-year-old AXIOM (16/1 Totesport), who is more than an able substitute. Yes, he does the lack the 'sexy' profile of some of the younger, less exposed types in the race, but it's worth noting that five of the last 10 winners came from his age group and, like Axiom, they were late-developing types.
In fact, with only 13 career starts under his belt, there is almost certainly plenty more to come and the fact that Cumani has kept him in training suggests he thinks so too. The timing of his reappearance run at Sandown at the end of May - runner-up to the re-opposing Dunn'o (16/1 bet365) - also suggests he has been targeted at the Hunt Cup and, granted some luck in running, he must go close. The forecast rain will boost his chances further as his best form has been with a bit of cut in the ground, so double your bet if 'firm' doesn't appear in the going description.
Of course, as you'd expect in a race of this nature, there are plenty of others in with chances. The William Haggas-trained Roaring Forte (9/1 Coral) is improving fast, while John Gosden's big handicap record means anything he runs has to be given maximum respect, and his Cadre (10/1 Ladbrokes) has the look of a plotted-up horse. He was a real eye-catcher last time in Axiom's Sandown race, making late ground to finish on the heels of the leaders in sixth. He did have a fitness edge on Axiom, though, so I still prefer that one at bigger odds.
Recommended Bet:
Axiom 1pt each-way @ 16/1 Totesport (double-up on the day if ground is no faster than good)