In a modest opener, Aces Four gets the call ahead of Ballynure and Chickapeakray. The selection has shown improved form when stepped up in trip in each of his last two runs, winning the latest of them on his first run for Ferdy Murphy. Even though he has the steadier of 12 stone 3 pounds to carry, he should hold scope for further improvement and can go well in what is, as we say, a modest affair. Having finished third off a mark of 90 over two-and-a-half miles at Newcastle two runs ago, Ballynure cannot be ruled out of gaining some place money, while Chickapeakray won off a six-pounds lower mark at Sedgefield on Boxing Day although, working on a formline using Piraeus, you could say that Ballynure has his measure. Sylviesbuck was running well in chases from around this mark last year, while Thorn Of The Rose could be interesting stepped up in trip on her handicap debut, and Lampion du Bost is another that could improve for a step up in trip today. Finally, Savannah River has run well here on the Flat and holds a chance based on her Wetherby November 2004 run; when beaten last time, it was over a shorter trip. Overall, though, we will stick with Aces Four.
Aces Four (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 7th, led 3 out, clear when hit 2 out, easily, won at Ludlow 3m mdn hdl (4) gd beating One Love (10-11) by 7l, 16 ran.
Reap The Reward (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Behind, kept on from 2 out, never nearer, 10th of 18, 23l behind Fier Normand (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec.
Mad Max Too 50-1 (11-6) Held up, hit 5th, weakened from 4 out, 8th of 10, well behind Keenan's Future (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
Nearly Never 100-1 (10-2) Mid-division, hit 9th, soon pushed along, never on terms, 6th of 13, 22l behind Cash King (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Ballynure (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Chased leaders to 6th, was soon behind, tailed off from 2 off, 11th of 13, well behind Piraeus (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Dec.
Chickapeakray 11-4 (10-7) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 32l behind New Perk (10-3) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jan.
Savannah River (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, pushed along 6th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 8, 30l behind Silver Seeker (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
The Small Farmer (IRE) 15-2 (10-3) Never a factor, 7th of 16, 45l behind Ask The Umpire (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f amt hcp hdl (5) sft in Jan.
