SCOTCHTOWN ran well on his latest start at Newbury and should appreciate the drop in grade so gets the nod. A first win over fences at Fakenham clearly boosted the confidence of Sideways as he followed up over this trip at Sedgefield, though has been raised a further 7lb. Firebird Flyer won the Midland National in 2016 but he’s not the same force nowadays, though much lower in the handicap. Alberto's Dream will have needed his comeback run at Hereford and Sandhurst Lad and Court Frontier are others to consider. Big Meadow is now 4lb lower than for his last success but has disappointed the last twice.
Scotchtown (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Chased leader, led 5th, joined 4 out, headed 2 out, chased leader, until ridden between last 2, rallied to hold every chance run-in, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Carole's Destrier (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Firebird Flyer (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up, mistake 2nd, under pressure approaching omitted 6 out, soon weakened, pulled up after 4 out, at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Alberto's Dream 8-1 (11-12) Held up, never dangerous, tailed off from 2 out, 7th of 14, 36 1/2l behind Bandon Roc (11-9) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Major Hindrance (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Chased leaders until lost place before 7th, rallied on outside before 11th, lost place next, plugged on, 6th of 11, 24 1/4l behind Achille (10-11) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Royal Palladium (FR) 20-1 (11-8) Led until 4th, led again 8th, headed 10th, under pressure 5 out, weakened next, 9th of 10, dist behind Reikers Island (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Court Frontier (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Behind, tailed off 14th, kept on run-in, 5th of 11, 24l behind Achille (10-11) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Big Meadow (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, weakened before 15th, 5th of 8, dist behind The Two Amigos (11-12) at Plumpton 3m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Sideways (IRE) 15-8jfav (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd from 16th, led before 2 out, soon clear, stayed on, won at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jan beating Chase The Wind (11-9) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Sandhurst Lad (IRE) 5-2fav (12-2) Chased leaders on inside, led 4th, headed before mistake 4 out, lost 2nd next, 2nd again 2 out every chance last, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Top And Drop (11-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Steel Native (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 5th, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up after next, at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
