Verdict

It's Bertie, Stormy Beech and The Miner are three agauinst the field in this ghandicap chase and the vote is given to It's Bertie. The selection is well weighted over fences compared to his hurdling mark and was a fair fourth behind Eborarry last time, that form has since been franked and under conditions that suit he looks the one to be on. Stormy Beech rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Mr Prickle but he looks vulnerable under top weight. The Miner is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is hard to win with. Of the remainder Hollows Mill travles well but finds little off the bridle while Nifty Roy has conditions to suit but is out of form of late and for the winner we return to It's Bertie.

Formwatch

Stormy Beech 5-2 (10-6) Led until headed after 3rd, led again 8th to 9th, weakened 3 out, last of 4, 35l behind Mr Prickle (11-3) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.

It's Bertie 11-8fav (10-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 14l behind Eborarry (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.

Nifty Roy 12-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, weakened 2 out, 4th of 6, 22l behind Master Sebastian (10-1) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.

Flaming Heck 5-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 9, 25l behind Miss Pross (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.

Hollows Mill 6-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 5 out, outpaced from 2 out, 4th of 8, 20l behind Fearless Foursome (11-3) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.

Kalic d'Alm (FR) 28-1 (11-3) In touch, hit and hampered 5 out, weakened next, 8th of 11, 42l behind Barton Sun (10-5) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.

Posh Stick 11-2 (10-6) Chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Loulou Nivernais (10-8) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.

The Miner 13-2 (11-8) In touch, challenged 4 out, led before next, headed and no extra run-in, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Baligrundle (10-7) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.

Blizzard Beach (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Always behind, beaten when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Em's Royalty (11-7) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan, 20 ran.