SANDYNOW is selected but it may not be easy to get the better of Gus Macrae, Alaska View and Aberdale under a penalty. Henry Daly's runner carries that penalty for a ready success in a similar contest at Warwick where he ran on strongly to get the better of a decent yardstick. The form has received a boost or two and looks strong enough for the grade so Sandynow may well prove up to defying his burden. The booking of McCoy is a positive one for the yard and Gus Macrae has shown enough ability in bumpers to think that he can be a factor on his hurdling bow. The bumper that he won at this track has thrown up a winner which is encouraging and the trip should be ideal at this stage of his career. Aberdale is closely matched with Simply Wings on their running behind Bobby Ewing at Uttoxeter and both will need to improve to trouble the selection but that is by no means out of the question. A bigger threat may possibly come from Alaska View who looked likely to take a hand in the finish before departing at Wetherby and his form in bumpers suggests that he could be a live threat. Cotswold Charmer and Mr Valentino hail from respected yards and are worth cautionary inspection but preference is for Sandynow.
Sandynow (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led approaching 7th, headed just after 3 out, led again before 2 out, stayed on under pressure (no time taken), won at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Divy (11-0) by 6l, 18 ran.
Aberdale (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 7th, hit 9th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 10, 33l behind Bobby Ewing (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Alaska View (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd apporachig 4th, fell 6th, in a race won by Edge Of Town (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Border Lad 125-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Chain Of Command (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Cotswold Charmer (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leader to 1st, prominent until weakened after 2 out, soon hanging left, 6th of 13, 39l behind Barafundle (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Gus Macrae (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Dec beating Smooth Classic (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Mr Straffan (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Always in rear, tailed off 3 out, 10th of 14, well behind Vino Griego (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) hvy.
Mr Valentino (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, weaknened approaching last, 5th of 12, 17l behind Will Be Done (10-9) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Musical Wedge 100-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, pushed along 5f out, soon lost touch, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Ramses De Marcigny (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft in Dec.
Silver Token 33-1 (11-0) Not fluent, always in rear, struggling 5th, soon tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Be There In Five (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Simply Wings (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, jumped slowly 2nd, jumped right and mistake next, lost place, not fluent 7th or 3 out, stayed on approaching last, went 4th flat, never dangerous, 4th of 10, 33l behind Bobby Ewing (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Moonlight Ruby (IRE) 80-1 (10-5) Held up in touch and keen, ridden after 8th, no impression, 11th of 12, well behind Quentin Collonges (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
