Verdict

The numbers suggest that this could be a tricky race to solve, but Dicey Dancer can make it less competitive by winning it decisively from Digital Media and Brandy Wine. The selection is another sent across the water today by the excellent Tony Martin, whose runners always deserve more than one look. The trainer made a successful raid with the gelding at Taunton last month, when he battled well to just get up over this trip. A follow-up bid was scuppered when he unseated early on last time, but he can get back to winning ways here. Digital Media won a Wetherby bumper on debut but broke no pots in novices' hurdles and we'd like to see some improved form before parting with cash where he is concerned. Brandy Wine loves it hock deep and returns to hurdles on a mark 7lb lower than his chase rating, although having said that he does not jump out off the page as an obvious winner here over a trip that may be too short. Pay On will relish conditions and can be in the battle for the frame, but Dicey Dancer can take the prize.

Formwatch

Kempski 66-1 (10-5) Led, headed after 3 out, weakened after next, 7th of 14, 27l behind Augustine (11-1) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.

Brandy Wine (IRE) 3-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, stayed on to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Devil's Run (11-3) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec '06.

Selection Box (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, 5th 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 8th of 23, 12l behind Bill's Folly (10-12) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp hdl 0-123 hvy.

Wise Choice 50-1 (10-13) Hit 4th, always towards rear, 16th of 17, 24l behind Border Tale (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.

Whispering Moor 20-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway 7th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Lago (10-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f amt hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov, 17 ran.

Digital Media (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Held up, headway and in touch halfway, weakening when blundered 3 out, never on terms, 4th of 14, 19l behind King Mak (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.

Dicey Dancer 5-1 (11-7) Held up when blundered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Pagan Rules (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs, 14 ran.

Dalawan 66-1 (10-13) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 4th in race won by Rathowen (11-2) at Ayr 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 12 ran.

Cassius Dio (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up, outpaced from 4 out, 6th of 15, 29l behind Hills Of Aran (11-5) at Carlisle 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.

Stravaigin 16-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, 9th of 15, 46l behind Millie The Filly (10-5) at Ayr 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Nov.

Contendo 33-1 (11-3) Held up, headway after 4 out, badly hampered and left 3rd 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 19, 12l behind Polyphon (11-8) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl (5) sft in Nov.

Tullyhappy Lad (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Towards rear, headway after 4 out, hampered 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 19, 31l behind Polyphon (11-8) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl (5) sft in Nov.

Turtle Bay 14-1 (11-3) Towards rear, effort 3 out, never on terms, 8th of 14, 13l behind Blast The Past (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Apr.

Pay On (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden to chase winner 2 out, one pace approaching last, 4th of 14, 13l behind Pagan Rules (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs.

The Weaver (FR) 100-1 (10-5) Led, hit 6th, headed 8th, weakened from 4 out, 8th of 10, 35l behind King Daniel (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.

Jolly Boy (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leader until weakened from 7th, 5th of 7, 22l behind Jefertiti (10-6) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.