Holywell won a maiden hurdle on soft ground at Chepstow in February but has been done no favours by the handicapper here. Headly's Bridge has been in good form lately but is also climbing the weights and Fentara passed up an easier opportunity over 3m here last month. Lamps and Ffos Las winner Sir Mattie are relatively unexposed but we like the look of SANDYNOW, who beat Fentara on heavy going over C&D in January and made an in-form rival pull out all the stops at Chepstow next time. Martial Law is interesting in his first handicap but the ground may be too testing for the once-useful El Dancer this evening.
El Dancer (GER) 40-1 (10-2) Behind, some headway from 2 out, soon weakened, 13th of 24, 29l behind Paintball (10-7) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gs in Mar.
Holywell (IRE) 15-8fav (11-3) With leader, led 7th, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Pyleigh Lass (10-10) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Headly's Bridge (IRE) 5-1fav (11-10) Held up in rear, steady headway after 4 out, went 3rd before last, stayed on to 2nd final 110 yards, no chance with unchallenged winner, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Granville Island (11-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Fentara 7-2fav (11-7) Held up in touch, mistakes 3rd and 7th, ridden to chase winner after 9th, mistake 3 out, soon edged left, weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Godsmejudge (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
Lamps 15-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway and close up on inside 4th, ridden after 3 out, driven before last, stayed on under pressure flat, not pace of winner, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Lava Lamp (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Sir Mattie (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Held up behind, headway on outside 3 out, challenged next, carried head high and led before last, stayed on flat, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Mission Complete (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
One More Cookie (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division, jumped right 5th, mistake 8th, chased leaders under pressure approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next, no impression, 7th of 9, 14l behind Sir Mattie (11-4) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Sandynow (IRE) 7-2fav (10-10) Prominent 2nd, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, upsides when mistake last, held after, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Cocacobana (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
Martial Law (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) In touch on inside, chased leaders after 7th, stayed on same pace after 3 out, 4th of 13, 20l behind Barlow (11-3) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
