Dun Could Deliver Dropped In Class At Leicester

Edvardo emptied after the 2nd last at Navan, despite looking like he was travelling pretty well in the back straight. It was a disappointing effort, and it would be interesting to know if any issues came to light post race.

Tomorrow's fancy takes her chance in the lucky last at Leicester, and I think River Dun could run a big race on her first start in class 5 company. This 7yo mare is a daughter of on fire sire Indian River, the proud father of recent winners Native River and Tanit River. She has shown potential for both her former trainer Steven Crawford and her current handler Gordon Edwards.

It has been a long time since Edwards visited the winner's enclosure, but hopefully River Dun can end his dry spell on Tuesday. She finished either 3rd or 4th on all her bumper runs for Crawford before Edwards picked her up for 10 grand at the Doncaster sale last May.

She didn't show much on her first two starts for her new handler, and she was well beaten in a class 4 maiden and a class 4 novice. However, her final novice run was a big improvement, only beaten 6L and just 3L behind Seven Nation Army.

That horse has placed form over timber off marks in the high 120s, and he was rated 119 when running in that heat. River Dun was getting 10lbs from that rival but, even so, it was a good run.

Edgar has a decent record when riding for Edwards.

The handicapper handed her a mark of 109 and she was a no show on her first two runs in class 4 handicap company. However, the booking of Kieron Edgar catches the eye, as he has placed on 4 of his 9 rides for Edwards.

He went close on Shannan Star for Edwards earlier this month at 14/1, so it looks significant that he is riding River Dun for the first time. She has been dropped to a mark of 100, and she races against her own sex in a class 5 for the first time.

Soft ground is a worry admittedly, but her dam is related to soft ground winners and there is plenty of black type in her pedigree. Indian River's progeny have shown an affinity for soft ground too, so River Dun looks well worth another crack on an easy surface.

Edwards hasn't had a winner under rules since 2011, and it has been a long time between drinks for the Somerset handler. With soft ground a slight worry stakes should be kept low but, at odds of 33/1, River Dun is well worth a pound or two each way in an average looking contest.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 4.20 LEICESTER-RIVER DUN E/W 33/1