A good quality handicap which has attracted a decent entry. Looksnowtlikebrian found the Welsh National a step too far but was in good form previously over this sort of trip. Easy Street has a chance at the weights but it may prove a wise decision to run UHLAN BUTE under a penalty as Venetia Williams’ 11-year-old turned back the clock at Plumpton last week and is clearly in good heart at present. Conna Cross has each-way claims again and Henryville has tumbled down the weights. Dr Des and Arthur's Gift are among the least exposed over fences and should be winning soon but Mendip Express does most of his winning in hunter chases nowadays. Thedrinkymeister should strip fitter for his second at Newcastle but does look a shade high in the handicap.
Rocklander (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Fell 1st, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Skipthecuddles (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, pecked 7th, ridden and weakened before 4 out, 5th of 6, 18 1/2l behind Yalltari (11-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Looksnowtlikebrian (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Towards rear, mistakes 5th and 6th, not fluent 7th, well beaten 17th, not fluent 5 out, pulled up after, at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Henryville 40-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway approaching 3rd, led before next, soon went clear, reduced lead before 5th, not fluent 7th, headed next, weakened quickly after, 9th of 10, dist behind Virginia Chick (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Arthur's Gift (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway halfway, weakening when hampered on bend after 5 out, 8th of 12, 28l behind Siruh Du Lac (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Dr Des (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Pressed leader, mistake 8th and reminder, ridden before next, lost 2nd 3 out, one pace, 5th of 7, 8l behind Calipso Collonges (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Easy Street (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Held up behind, headway on outside 5 out, driven to dispute 4th before 2 out, never on terms, weakened between last 2, tailed off, 11th of 16, dist behind Harry The Viking (10-5) at Kelso 4m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Mendip Express (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, tracked leaders after 3 out (usual 4 out), ridden to challenge approaching last, led soon after, stayed on under pressure flat (3rd last fence omitted on both circuits), won at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Thomas Crapper (11-8) by 5l, 8 ran.
Thedrinkymeister (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Pressed winner, led 4 out, headed before next, no impression on winner 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Ascot De Bruyere (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Conna Cross (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Prominent, ridden 4 out, stayed on same pace from 3 ou, 4th of 11, 7 3/4l behind The Kings Writ (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Uhlan Bute (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Jumped right at times, made all, clear before 2 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Dylanseoghan (10-12) by 15l, 9 ran.
The Bay Birch (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up well in rear, some headway before 4 out, weakening when pulled up before last, at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Bramble Brook 2-1 (11-3) Led, headed narrowly 8th, hit next, not fluent 12th, lost place and reminder after next, ridden after 5 out, mistake 3 out, soon beaten, last of 3, 32l behind Scoop The Pot (11-8) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Salmanazar 6-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase clear winner 3 out, no impression from next, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Knock House (11-4) at Bangor 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
