A terrible race, and the presence of SWORDS means that more than half of the field are out of the handicap. The top-weight gets the selection ahead of Mad Professor. Officially rated 65, the selection ran a fair race behind Master At Arms at Wolverhampton when last seen. He is just 3lbs higher now than when last winning in August and a course winner in the past, he can carry top weight to victory. Mad Professor went very close last time at Uttoxeter in a seller and whilst his strike rate is not great, it would be unwise to take his challenge lightly. The three-year-old Gayanula needs to forget a poor recent run but Julie Camacho's filly has shown a semblance of ability despite being winless in seven, however it is Swords who gets the vote in a very poor race.
Swords 22-1 (9-2) Pulled hard in touch, ridden 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, no impression when switched right inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 4l behind Master At Arms (9-6) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Mid Valley 9-1 (8-11) Towards rear, ridden over 4f, headway over 2f, weakened final furlong, 8th of 14, 6l behind Three Strings (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Nov.
Tykie Two 25-1 (8-1) Led, ridden 3f out, headed over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 10, 10l behind Karmest (9-5) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Reminiscent (IRE) 22-1 (8-9) In touch, lost place over 6f out, 9th of 12, 20l behind Irish Ballad (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Bond Casino 20-1 (8-10) In touch, lost place over 4f out, in rear after, 7th of 11, 15l behind Bridgewater Boys (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol.
Gayanula (USA) 14-1 (8-11) Always rear division, 13th of 14, 20l behind Three Strings (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Nov.
Mad Professor (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Held up, reminders over 6f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 21l behind Orkney (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) std.
