COUSIN NICKY looks capable of reversing the placings with stablemate Saunders Road to take this handicap chase, while Kew Jumper might prove to be next best. The selection has been partnered by Richard Johnson for three of his four wins and the partnership is reunited today after what looked to be more of a pipe opener behind Saunders Road at Cheltenham. He has an 8lb pull for finishing nine lengths behind his stable companion that day but he should strip fitter and benefit from the assistance of Johnson from the plate. Trip and ground suit and he acts well in the headgear so we will side with him. Saunders Road stayed on well at headquarters and with good claimer Rhys Flint up he will again be competitive. Kew Jumper would probably want quicker ground to be seen to best effect, but this trip is within range and he has frame claims once more. Kosmos Bleu is exposed and has a tough task at these weights, and while Coach Lane looked in the grip of the handicapper last time the yard is now going very well and so he might be capable of better than he showed that day. Cousin Nicky can take this for Philip Hobbs.
Coach Lane 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, every chance 4 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Good Company (11-4) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Templer (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Mid-division, pecked 9th, effort after 3 out, weakened approaching last, eased, 14th of 16, well behind Cruchain (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Saunders Road (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) In touch, headway after 13th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, kept on well, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec beating Junctiontwentyfour (9-11) by 4l, 16 ran.
Portland Bill (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Prominent, mistake 8th, every chance approaching 4 out, hit 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 27l behind Stolen Moments (11-10) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Cousin Nicky 33-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, mistake 8th, led 13th, mistake 4 out, stumbled 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, faded from last, 7th of 16, 11l behind Saunders Road (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Kosmos Bleu (FR) 12-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden 4th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 15, well behind Aux Le Bahnn (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Kew Jumper (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Chased leaders, blundered 3rd, hit 3 out, ridden to dispute 2nd from 2 out until no extra after last, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Alphabetical (11-9) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Le Burf (FR) 14-1 (11-11) In touch, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 14, 32l behind Victorias Groom (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Mort De Rire (FR) 13-2 (10-5) Chased leaders until 10th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Caribou (11-4) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Mar, 14 ran.
I Hear Thunder (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 10th of 16, 47l behind Garde Champetre (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) sft in Dec.
Triggernometry 9-1 (11-12) In touch, lost place after 10th, closing when blundered 4 out, 4th and weakening when blundered 2 out, 4th of 9, 30l behind Classic Role (11-12) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
