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The $300,000 Group 3 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup concludes the thoroughbred portion of the Summer Racing Festival.

A field of 10 has accepted in 2024, with the top weight Aurora's Symphony chasing history as potentially the first horse to win three successive Launceston Cups, and connections would also claim the $100,000 Double Cups Bonus if successful.

Below is Matt Reid's runner-by-runner preview with assessed prices.

    1. Aurora's Symphony (2) – Assessed price $3.50

Seven of the 10 runners raced in Hobart, and given the ease with which Aurora's Symphony won, he must be the favourite off that performance. Weight couldn't stop him down south, and the 61.5kg he will carry in Launceston is 6kg more than last year and 2kg more than Hobart. He hasn't drawn wider than barrier 2 in any of his three Tassie Cup wins, and that trend has continued. Once again, he seems likely to be given the run of the race by Jordan Childs and if he handles the big weight, I think he will be winning.

    2. Alhambra Lad (6) – Assessed price $5

The Hobart Cup favourite is the hardest runner in the race to line up. He was a dominant $2.40 favourite, and after leading the field, he was the first horse beaten turning for home. Post-race reports are that he choked down, which would excuse the performance, but a fair bit of trust needs to be placed in his ability to bounce back. Given the performances of Patrick Payne's team this Tassie summer, Alhambra Lad may well be worth giving another chance.

   3. Wyclif (9) – Assessed price $7.50

Wyclif was well-supported in Hobart and ran right up to it, finishing second, albeit 2.75 lengths from the winner. He enjoyed an economical run in the back half of the field there from barrier 1, and I'd expect him to be back in the field again from barrier 9. Trainer Ciaron Maher nominated four runners for this race, but Wyclif is the only one who accepted. Definite each-way hope.

   4. Grand Pierro (5) – Assessed price $4.80

Along with Wyclif, Grand Pierro was backed on the day in Hobart, and there was very little between the two at the finish after enjoying similar transits. Grand Pierro hadn't raced since New Year's Day leading into the Hobart Cup, so there may be added fitness to come from that hit-out. Craig Williams sticks, and the 2kg swing against Aurora's Symphony can only be a positive as the challengers attempt to bridge the gap from last start.

   5. Ashy Boy (3) – Assessed price $25

Given the run of the race in the Hobart Cup, Ashy Boy was no match for the trifecta, and I struggle to see where his improvement comes from at start seven since joining Glenn Stevenson's team. He'll continue his outstanding campaign by running an honest race and could be one for the latter end of exotics.

   6. Excelleration (4) – Assessed price $8

The Richard Cully-trained 7YO makes the trip to Tassie after being in the nominations for Hobart, but not accepting. His form can be tied to the key hopes here through his second to Aurora's Symphony in last year's Colac Cup, and his midfield finish at Ballarat in early December, a race that also contained Alhambra Lad. Given that, I'm not putting a heap of stock in the fact his last start was in a "moderate" Great Western Cup, where he proved to be in a different class as $1.75 favourite. A month between runs getting up to 2400m is the query. None of Excelleration's 17 career starts have been past 2000m.

   7. Assaranca (10) – Assessed price $27

The locals were largely outclassed in Hobart, including Assaranca, who settled back in the field and managed to only get past a couple of horses late. Her record is much stronger in Launceston; six of her seven career wins have been at the track, and she did run the fastest last 200m sectional in Hobart. There's every chance the visitors are a bit too smart again, but as was the case last start, I give her a puncher's hope.

   8. Rising Light (1) – Assessed price $22

Rising Light raced outside Alhambra Lad in the Hobart Cup, and given they set a track record pace up front, and he ran straight past the favourite, I think there was more merit in his run than it may read on paper. Second in this race last year, Rising Light is the best roughie in the race for mine, getting an economical run up near the speed from the inside draw.

   9. I'm So Cool (8) – Assessed price $75

I'm So Cool won his way into the Cup by winning the Sydeston Cup, which affords ballot-free entry. Known as a leader, I'm So Cool raced outside the speed and was too strong late in a busy finish. That form is a long way off the quality of the Hobart Cup. I'd expect him to roll to the front here, where he will give them something to run down.

   10. Vintage Diesel (7) – Assessed price $100

Finished third in the Sydeston Cup behind I'm So Cool, not really suited in a race that was only run at a moderate pace up. Likely to stay the trip, but I will find this too tough.

Matt Reid's Launceston Cup market – 110%