The return to this trip looks of benefit to INCHIDALY ROCK, who can get back to winning ways under Harry Skelton, while Fairoak Lad may prove the main danger. The selection won a novices' hurdle on his first run for Paul Nicholls at Exeter in November. He also ran well when trying to follow up at Chepstow last month, where a penalty and the shorter trip were probably the reasons for his defeat. Tried in a handicap for the first time now, he looks on a reasonable mark, and we will give him another chance. Fairoak Lad is dropping down the weights and is now just 2lb higher than when winning here over course and distance on fast ground in April. Although he handles good to soft, he does appear to be better on a sound surface and that might just be his undoing today. Mexican Pete has more miles on the clock than Lewis Hamilton but sadly is not nearly as fast and although he will handle conditions he will probably not be taking the chequered flag again today. Bobby Gee is interesting from a mark 8lb higher than when hacking up in similar conditions at Uttoxeter just over a year ago and he should improve for a pipe opener about six weeks ago, so can't be ruled out. Money Order has a great record, plus trip and ground to suit, but in spite of that it is hard to enthuse about anything from Brendan Powell's yard at present as they are probably just not quite right and we will take Inchidaly Rock to score.
Lead On (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Tracked leader until 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from next, 6th of 9, 14l behind Irish Legend (10-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Personal Column 9-2 (11-6) Tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 4th and kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out, 4th of 12, 18l behind Beau Michael (11-6) at Limerick 2m 2f 4yo hdl sft in Oct.
Inchidaly Rock (IRE) 2-7fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, hung left, every chance when hit 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Duke of Miskin (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f hdl (3) hvy in Dec.
Mexican Pete 6-1 (11-12) Close up, hit 3rd, outpaced 3 out, stayed on again approaching last, went 4th towards finish, 4th of 7, 14l behind Theatre Diva (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Gods Token 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 15th of 17, 36l behind Culcabock (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Money Order (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) Held up, headway 10th, led last, kept on under pressure, won at Bangor 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov '07 beating Carnival Town (11-2) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Fairoak Lad (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Held up, mistake 4 out, soon outpaced, some headway after 3 out, weakened quickly approaching last, 4th of 7, 26l behind Tora Bora (11-3) at Ascot 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Shannon Springs (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Always in rear, 14th of 19, well behind Mister Gloss (11-7) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Bobby Gee 25-1 (10-6) In touch, not fluent 3rd, led and hit 3 out, soon headed, weakened after 2 out, tailed off, 13th of 19, well behind Punchestowns (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Rathcor 16-1 (11-10) Mid-division, hampered 5th, weakened 2 out, 15th of 22, 30l behind Andytown (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
Wun Chai (IRE) 6-1jt-fav (11-7) Tracked leader, hit 4 out, weakened between last 2, 9th of 15, 29l behind Theatre Belle (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Kristoffersen 40-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden 5th, tailed off 6th, stayed on strongly from 2 out, never on terms, 5th of 14, 23l behind Six Day War (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
