Verdict

GOLD AWARD is a tentative suggestion in an open handicap where Tarvini, Picaroon and Bureaucrat are all considered. Milton Harris has scored with a couple of well-backed winners in the last week so support for Bureaucrat would be encouraging. He should get the run of the race from the front and ran as well as can have been expected at Cheltenham on his latest start. Picaroon has been consistent but appears to be firmly in the handicapper's grip as a result so will need to enjoy a little luck or to pull out a little more if he's to prevail. Tarvini won with plenty in hand last time despite only scoring by a neck so it was no surprise to see his mark raised by 11lbs. However, he drops back in trip and has to race on the softest ground that he's encountered in his career. Gold Award hasn't lived up to early expectations and lacks a run but he has scored on his seasonal reappearance on both seasons that he's raced. The handicapper may also have taken a chance with his mark as he would have finished in front of some significantly higher rated rivals at Cheltenham with a clear round yet has been dropped by a pound. His yard is in fine form and Gold Award may be able to provide them with another winner.

Formwatch

Picaroon 7-2 (11-2) Led, headed 2 out, no extra from last, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Balzaccio (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.

Bureaucrat 40-1 (11-1) In touch, headway to 3rd, after 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Spirit River (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.

Gold Award 7-1 (11-0) Steadied in touch, hit 3 out, blundered 2 out, ridden and disputing 6 lengths down in 2nd when fell last, in a race won by Tataniano (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Apr, 9 ran.

Tarvini (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, challenging when hit last, led and bumped flat, cosily, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov beating Alfadora (11-0) by nk, 11 ran.

Colophony (USA) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 13th, soon ridden, headway approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 6, 34l behind Supreme Duke (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Feb.

Covert Mission 4-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, pushed along approaching 6th, led soon after 3 out, 1 length ahead last, driven flat, no extra and headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, nk behind Ocean Transit (11-3) at Ludlow 2m Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-115) (3yo+) (4) sft in Dec.

Spider Boy 5-2 (11-7) Led until after 3rd, pushed along 3 out, led again before last, soon headed and weakened, 3rd of 5, 34l behind Karasakal (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (4) hvy in Nov.