This handicap is no less competitive than that which preceeded it but MAJAALES is the one to beat; Cool Friend, Magic Sky and Come Out Firing could go well whilst Stow may be overpriced. Tom George's gelding was well backed to win a better race than this last time and ran well to take second. He's gone up 5lbs for that defeat but the form should work out with a well-treated rival beaten seven lengths into fourth, whilst the winner also looks decent enough. The only real concern is this step up in trip but it might be worth paying to find out; he certainly rates the most interesting runner. Cool Friend is 15lbs higher than when she last ran in a handicap hurdle and as she was beaten that day this mark looks harsh on the face of it. However, her efforts over fences since read very well and if that level of performance is translated to the smaller obstacles then she'll surely be in the frame. Magic Sky's best efforts have come on softened ground so he enters calculations although this mark demands more, whilst in contrast Willies Way would look a real player were the ground not too soft - his best efforts have been on markedly quicker ground. The handicapper refuses to relent with Sangfroid who needs a few pounds taking off his back on recent evidence, Come Out Firing might prove a better betting proposition in the summer months whilst Mous Of Men would only become of real interest were the market to make strong noises. This is competitive once more but one horse has the potential to progress from his current rating more than his rivals; that horse is Majaales who gets our vote.
Stow 66-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, led briefly before 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 11, 38l behind Alfie Spinner (10-8) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Jan.
Cool Friend (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, held when blundered last, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Carole's Legacy (11-10) at Ffos Las 3m mrs nov chs (5yo+) (4) gs in Jan.
Majaales (USA) 7-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, no extra and headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Alfie Spinner (10-8) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Jan.
Magic Sky (FR) 7-2 (10-4) Held up, headway 4 out, chased leader 3 out to between last 2, 1 length 3rd and staying on when fell heavily last, in a race won by Le Beau Bai (10-13) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl (2) gs, 7 ran.
Come Out Firing (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Chased clear leading pair to 3rd, mistake 4th, pecked 6th, not fluent 8th, tailed off 11th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Red Admiral (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Aug, 6 ran.
Mous Of Men (FR) 16-1 (9-13) Held up in rear, effort 7th, soon under pressure and beaten, 7th of 10, well behind Ballyfitz (11-1) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Sangfroid 5-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, never able to challenge, 5th of 19, 20l behind Lake Legend (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Stripe Me Blue 8-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, 16th of 18, well behind Alfie Sherrin (11-4) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs.
Willies Way 8-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway 7th, jumped left 8th, mistake 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, rallied last, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sep beating Phone In (10-8) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Bally Conn (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up well in rear, plugged on after 4 out, never in contention, 7th of 17, 42l behind Viking Blond (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
