Wednesday tips: Pursuit Of Truth looks real deal

Zodiac Star is lightly raced compared to most of these and could well have more upside than them. 

Alan King’s four-year-old won a modest maiden at Stratford during the summer but ran at least as well when a close fourth on his handicap debut last time. 

He returns having had a wind operation, which could well be a positive. Oscar Palmer, who has ridden a couple of winners over Jumps, is on board and claims 10lb as he is riding for his own yard. 

Zodiac Star certainly seems to have turned a bit of a corner over hurdles and a mark of 104 may be generous.  

Bethphage came up short when attempting to land a fourth successive win last time but may be able to pick up the thread again here as there are doubts about several of her rivals (ground and trip) plus she certainly will not be lacking in fitness. 

Her third-place last time was a personal best and the form looks very strong form for the grade. Provided the ground stays decent, there is another handicap in Bethphage this autumn. 

This expensive purchase has obviously had a few training problems and is having only his fourth run here. 

Pursuit Of Truth reappeared after a year off last time, having been gelded in the interim, and certainly showed enough to suggest all is not lost. 

He was fresh and keen and lost ground at the start but still stayed on to be fourth despite not getting the best of runs. 

An opening mark of 68 doesn’t look insurmountable for his handicap bow. If he is less exuberant and handles the switch to the all-weather, then he may well improve past largely exposed opposition.