It didn't take Donald McCain long to get Mansonien L'As back in a winning grove, the eight-year-old storming home by 27 lengths at Towcester on Boxing Day. The handicapper has put him up 13lb but there's no reason why he won't be in the firing-line again here. CAMDEN GEORGE is now a teenager but has dropped to a very lenient mark and Sue Smith clearly thinks there are still races to be won with him. He finished behind Fozy Moss at Hexham last time but could reverse that form on 7lb better terms here and can give supporters a run for their money. Farm Pixie has been knocking on the door but remains a maiden and is still high enough in the weights while Beau Dandy is still 7lb higher than when scoring at Newcastle a year ago.
Beau Dandy (IRE) 3-1 (10-8) In touch, took keen hold and led 3rd, headed 18th, weakened 2 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Merlin's Wish (11-6) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
Farm Pixie (IRE) 9-4fav (10-2) Held up in touch, not fluent 7th or 12th, ridden after 4 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Or de Grugy (11-6) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Mansonien L'as (FR) 11-2 (10-13) Prominent, led 14th, clear 2 out, stayed on well, won at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec beating Kilvergan Boy (9-12) by 27l, 11 ran.
Camden George (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway before 7 out, challenged before 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, weakened run-in, 4th of 14, 9l behind Esme Rides A Gaine (9-10) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Almond Court (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on outside, lost place after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 8th of 11, 41l behind Adili (10-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Fozy Moss 5-1 (10-6) Close up, mistake 9th, soon lost place, 7th of 8, well behind Arc Warrior (10-7) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy.
Barnevelder (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mistakes, in touch, dropped to mid-division 5th, lost place and reminder 10th, tailed off 13th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Presented (11-9) at Newcastle 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
Oh Right (IRE) 11-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, mistake 4th, detatched 6th, soon beaten, moderate 4th, 4th of 8, well behind Pudsey House (11-6) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.