Verdict

Quite a competitive staying handicap hurdle which can be taken by Rosey Boy. The nine-year-old was off the course from 1999 until his run just over three weeks ago, when he performed very well to come home in fifth. Provided he improves for that effort, and after such a long lay-off it looks likely he will, then he has a good opportunity here. There is no doubt that he will get the trip, he is 3lb lower than his last winning mark and being by Roselier he will have no problem coping with the cut in the ground, so he is taken to win. There are questions about most of his rivals, including top weight Ashgar. The six-year-old was not a reliable proposition before winning a seller at Wetherby in November and after bursting a blood vessell at Leicester last time he is passed over, despite still be fairly treated by the handicapper. Stablemate Tee-Jay is more interesting. A winner here over 2m 3f, he has never run over this trip before, but judging by his last run he may well see it out. With 3lb off his back courtesy of useful conditional Dominic Elsworth, he should be thereabouts. Fishki's Lad is 7lb higher than his highest winning mark, but that does not put him out of it. The gelding went well off 103 last time and comes here fresh after five months off the track. He has also run well here in defeat in the past and will not mind the ground, so he has definite place claims. One who does look to be exposed is Maraud. Admittedly he has won off a higher mark in the past, but on recent performances he looks to be in the handicapper's grip and there are also doubts as to whether he will get home on this slower ground than he prefers. Dual Irish scorer Classic Lash also looks to be exposed after those two wins in October and he ran no sort of race last time.