The market will be useful but MUNCHING MIKE, Old Brigade and Sawpit Supreme could be the three to concentrate on in an attempt to solve this riddle. We're going to side with Tim Vaughan's runner who is having his first start for the yard and it would be no surprise to see him improve on the form that he showed for his previous connections. In any respect, he's 2lbs lower than when achieving his sole success so is well enough treated and will handle the conditions. Old Brigade has found himself more at home in handicap company although he hasn't had a great deal of racing of late. After just seven career starts, he's open to further improvement and this will be the first time that he's teamed up with A P McCoy. Sawpit Supreme was made favourite for her handicap bow but failed to justify the market support and failed to complete; she's turned out quickly so there's presumably nothing amiss and she may be worth another chance. Tegan Lee and Bankers Bonus are two of many to keep an eye on in the market in a race that may not take too much winning but it would be no surprise to see our selection, Munching Mike, attract support.
Bankers Bonus (IRE) 250-1 (10-11) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, 12th of 18, 49l behind Salden Licht (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Old Brigade (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 7th, went 3rd after 4 out, kept on to take 2nd after last, 2nd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Choumakeur (11-6) at Worcester 3m am hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jul.
Tarabela 25-1 (11-5) Held up, ridden and weakened 3 out, 11th of 13, 34l behind Delcombe (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Dec.
Tegan Lee 100-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, weakened approaching 3 out, 13th of 14, well behind Larks Lad (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Sawpit Supreme 5-1fav (11-8) Held up in touch, tailed off 3 out, pulled up next, in a race won by Home She Goes (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m Mares Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (4yo+) (4) sft, 10 ran.
Munching Mike (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Held up, weakened after 4 out, 4th of 8, 23l behind Stratford Stroller (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jul.
Pardon What 25-1 (9-12) Behind, reminders 3rd, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Cobbler's Queen (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft, 13 ran.
Magic Merlin 8-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, never in contention, 8th of 15, 33l behind Victory Surge (11-2) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Mamba (GER) 10-1 (10-5) In touch, not fluent 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 15, 29l behind Victory Surge (11-2) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Major Euro (IRE) 18-1 (11-10) Raced wide, not fluent, led until headed 10th, weakened rapidly, 6th of 10, well behind Cesium (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Watch Out 13-2 (10-11) Raced wide, held up, headway to join leaders 5th, led 4 out to next, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 5th of 6, 34l behind Brigadore (10-7) at Taunton 2m 3f sell hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Little Rort (IRE) 40-1 (10-8) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Jackers (11-5) at Towcester 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy, 15 ran.
Roaming West (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Held up, fell 7th, in a race won by Keyneema (10-11) at Hereford 2m hcp 0-100 (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Secret Gift 150-1 (10-9) Prominent, lost place after 6th, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Queen Poline (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Lady Samantha 8-1 (10-13) Behind, slow 1st, mistake 4th, under pressure halfway, tailed up when pulled up last, in a race won by Ban Uisce (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-85 (5) sft, 9 ran.
Marmot D'estruval (FR) (12-0) Disp ld to 7; led 14; drew clr 3 out; comf, won at Barbury Racecourse 3m ptp in Apr '07 beating Sarrococca (12-0) by 8l, 2 ran.
Tom O'Tara 22-1 (9-13) Mid-division, hit 6th, in touch and ridden before 3 out, weakened quickly soon after, 11th of 13, well behind Ballabrook (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f am nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Somerset Rose 100-1 (10-5) Towards rear, lost place approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 39l behind Good Old Thyme (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
