Verdict

Finula and Old Salt have won maiden hurdles at Huntingdon and Ludlow respectively and are both penalised. The latter has since been beaten at Ffos Las so this looks a good opportunity for POTTERS APPROACH (NAP). He found a couple too good on last month’s hurdling debut at Plumpton but the first two home have both subsequently won and Richard Johnson’s presence further boosts confidence. The remaining quartet have yet to show any worthwhile form over hurdles though Albatros De Guye has won a couple of times over fences.

Formwatch

Finula (IRE) 50-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, 2nd before 2 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gs in Nov beating Calva D'honore (11-8) by 1l, 13 ran.

Old Salt (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Led to 3 out, weakened from last, 5th of 15, 9 1/4l behind Red Indian (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) sft in Dec.

Albatros De Guye (FR) 40-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, blundered and lost place 7th, behind from next, pulled up before 14th, at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan.

Banco De Logos (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Chased leader until pushed along along before 3 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened before next, 5th of 17, 29 1/2l behind Neon Wolf (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gs in Jan.

Potters Approach (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Led, not fluent 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, lost 2nd last, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 9 3/4l behind No Comment (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.

Safe Harbour (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 8th of 9, dist behind Like The Sound (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Dec.

Some Chaos (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4th, weakened before next, 7th of 12, 33l behind Air Horse One (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Jan.