O'Hanrahan Bridge, a non-runner yesterday at Musselburgh, was a winner over hurdles here two runs ago and should make a chaser. Overcourt made a promising start over the larger obstacles at Sedgefield in October but has been absent again since. Veteran Central Flame is 0-15 over fences and seems best at Newcastle but Beat Box is only five and has shown promise. JACK VALENTINE may have had little to beat at Leicester last month but did it easily and that suggests he is going to make a better chaser than hurdler. He should be capable of defying a 6lb rise.
Overcourt 12-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd 6th, jumped right 2 out, headed before last, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Mr Muldoon (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct.
O'Hanrahan Bridge (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway to press leader 8th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, regained modest 3rd before last, faded flat, 5th of 6, 13 1/4l behind Legalized (11-1) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Jack Valentine (IRE) 5-2fav (11-4) Chased leader, jumped big 4th, headway to challenge going well approaching last, led after last, ran on well flat, won at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Little Rory Mac (11-12) by 4l, 10 ran.
Kalaharry (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Off the pace in last trio, never on terms, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Baby Ticker (11-3) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Calix Delafayette (FR) 12-1 (11-6) Chased leader, ridden before 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 7, 37 3/4l behind Victory Echo (11-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Maid O'Malley 25-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway 3f out, one pace final 2f, 7th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Presentandcounting (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Jan.
Beat Box (FR) 13-2 (10-11) Midfield and looking slightly outpaced, ridden in 5th after 9th, kept on well, up for 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 21l behind Funambule Sivola (11-4) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Central Flame 9-1 (10-10) Pressed leader, almost upsides 4 out, ridden and close up 3 out, outpaced before last, kept on flat, 2nd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Dundrum Wood (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Ashjan 12-1 (10-6) Prominent, midfield 4th, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, no extra, 6th of 8, 35l behind Calivigny (11-13) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
