It was soft going at Ayr recently when BIG THUNDER was third in a maiden hurdle, eight lengths clear of the fourth. Micky Hammond’s charge may well be up to landing this on his handicap debut. Marcus Antonius was fourth at Musselburgh last time but heavy ground may not be ideal for him and Rowdy Rocher is preferred on the best of last season’s form when scoring off a higher mark at Wetherby. Green Zone ran well at Ayr on his penultimate start while Georgie Lad reverts to hurdling off a 3lb higher mark than when winning at Bangor last year.
Georgie Lad (IRE) 28-1 (11-10) Always behind, lost touch when pulled up 9th, at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Hartforth 16-1 (11-2) Prominent, pushed along from 6th, lost place next, lost touch 4 out, soon pulled up, at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Rowdy Rocher (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 4 out, soon chased leaders, went 2nd after next, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression with winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind One For Hocky (11-7) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Big Thunder 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division on outside, headway after 4 out, ridden after next, chased winner before last, kept on same pace, never on terms, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 4 1/4l behind Miss Maiden Over (10-7) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Mwaleshi 28-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened after 2 out, 11th of 15, 35l behind Allbarnone (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in May.
Captain Clayton (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up, mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, blundered and weakened from 2 out, 9th of 11, dist behind Fred Le Macon (10-5) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Marcus Antonius 12-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway from 8th, not fluent 2 out, one pace, 4th of 10, 8 3/4l behind Smart Ruler (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Green Zone (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Towards rear, mistake 4th, not fluent next, blundered badly 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out, at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Shy (CZE) 80-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 2 out, 4th of 16, 24 3/4l behind Kelka (10-7) at Hexham 2m mdn (5) sft in Nov.
