Not much form to go on here so Uttoxeter bumper winner Heronshaw must go on the short-list on his hurdles bow. Walcot Lathyrus has won six times between the flags but was pulled up on his only previous start under Rules while another ex-pointer, Glenwood Prince, never figured on his hurdling debut at Wincanton earlier this month. THUNDERCRACK showed a bit of promise on his belated racecourse debut at Carlisle last month and will have learned from the experience. He gets the nod here as there's no guarantee that Umoristic will stay this longer trip and Arch Event is only modest.
Fitz Volonte 66-1 (10-7) Led hit 4th, headed approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, no threat after, 7th of 18, 31l behind Poet (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Glenwood Prince (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, struggling 7th, never near leaders, 6th of 12, well behind Benvolio (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Heronshaw (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, ridden to close 3f out, hung left over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran green, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Nov beating Trevaylor Boy (10-9) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Ilewin Kim Grape Tree Road gelding out of Bridepark Rose.
Thundercrack (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden before last, one pace, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Morning Royalty (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Umoristic (FR) 9-1 (10-1) Prominent, mistake 2nd, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression approaching last, 4th of 12, 8l behind Cridda Boy (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Walcot Lathyrus 1-3 (12-6) won at Bangor-on-dee 3m ptp gd in May beating Mr Gossip (12-3) by hd, 3 ran.
Waldorf Salad 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, not fluent 1st or when towards rear 5th, soon behind, 11th of 13, well behind O'faolains Boy (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Zakaroo 200-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in rear, mid-division 3rd, struggling when mistake 6th, tailed off, 16th of 20, well behind Red Devil Boys (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Arch Event 66-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 2 out, plugged on to modest 5th last, 5th of 14, 26l behind Midnight Prayer (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec.
