Verdict

ROSBAY may have paid the price for going nose-to-nose with a potentially smart sort last time when finishing very tired but can gain compensation here from King's Revenge and High Bird Humphrey. Tim Easterby has booked Denis O'Regan for the ride on his unexposed five-year-old who may find carrying a low weight in a handicap more to his liking than when filling third behind a better class of horse in novice company last time. Conditions will be fine for this heavy-ground flat winner and connections will be disappointed if he can't take a hand in the finish here. King's Revenge is likely to provide the toughest opposition to our selection despite being required to carry top weight. Ritchie Killoran helps to ease that welter burden with his 3lb claim and he's good value for it so this consistent sort is worthy of respect despite being winless for over two years. High Bird Humphrey completes the shortlist having run well at Cheltenham off this mark two starts ago in a handicap for novices. This ten-year-old is better known for his chasing exploits but races off a lower hurdle mark and must have a chance of cashing in on it here. Description is another who came to grief over larger obstacles last time but Sue Smith's horse has a chance in this contest despite being 9lbs higher than when last seen over hurdles whilst Grandad Bill will relish conditions and has been given a fair mark for this handicap debut. AP McCoy is an interesting booking for Chaninbar and so that one is respected whilst Sendali has no weight and Graham Lee to assist so could run well at a price, as might Karmadice who will be suited by conditions and showed signs of a return to form last time. A wide open handicap hurdle that can go to the unexposed Rosbay.

Formwatch

King's Revenge 20-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on same pace approaching last, 4th of 9, 7l behind Tasheba (11-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) hvy.

Chaninbar (FR) 66-1 (10-8) With leader, disputed lead from halfway, every chance before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 16l behind Tasheba (11-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) hvy.

Description (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, good headway to chase leaders 4th, fell 7th, in a race won by Mr Strachan (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy, 10 ran.

Dinarius 20-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened before last, 6th of 8, 6l behind L'homme De Nuit (11-1) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.

High Bird Humphrey 9-4fav (11-6) Held up, unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Fred Bojangals (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov, 9 ran.

Lucciolina 14-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, soon well in touch until ridden and weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by A French Horse (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 16 ran.

Grandad Bill (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Turbo Island (10-9) at Ayr 2m hdl (3) sft.

Karmadice 8-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 8th, went 2nd 3 out to 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 8, 10l behind April San (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (5) sft in Nov.

Wizard of Us 28-1 (10-12) In touch, lost place 4 out, soon behind, 10th of 11, well behind Still At Lunch (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.

Rosbay (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, led after 4 out, jumped right 2 out, headed last, no chance with winner, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Washington Irving (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.

Istron Bay 25-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway 2 out, led 5f out, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 15, 16l behind Mollys Garden (11-5) at Stratford 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.

Sendali (FR) 9-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway on outside approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened before next, 6th of 11, 17l behind Catch Bob (10-13) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.