POISONED BERRY couldn’t cope with a penalty in novice company here last time but her trainer, David Pipe, has a good strike-rate at the track and she may fare better in a handicap. Deckers Delight, Shoofly Milly and Black Narcissus look closely matched on their run together at Hereford last month and all are respected. Midnight Silver made a winning reappearance at Uttoxeter and is only 3lb higher so shouldn’t be far away if that has blown away any cobwebs but it’s harder to make a case for Timon's Tara and Frank N Fair.
Poisoned Berry (IRE) 2-1 (11-8) Chased winner until 2 out, chased leading pair, no impression when weakened and lost two places before the last, 5th of 9, 16 1/4l behind Westerbee (11-2) at Lingfield 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Midnight Silver 7-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders on inside, challenged after 3 out, led before last, nearly 1 length up flat, held on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Lilywhite Gesture (10-11) by nk, 5 ran.
Timon's Tara 6-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, weakened 12th, soon pulled up, at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Black Narcissus (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Towards rear, reminder 3rd, in touch 4 out, 2nd after 2 out, every chance on last bend, 4 lengths off leader before last, no extra towards finish, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Deckers Delight (10-11) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Shoofly Milly (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Led, driven after 2 out, 4 lengths clear before last, idled badly, headed flat, chance gone but kept on, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Deckers Delight (10-11) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Deckers Delight 33-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, pushed along briefly after 9th, in touch 4 out, hit 3 out, outpaced before next, rallied last, led flat, held on, won at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Sahara Haze (10-7) by hd, 8 ran.
Frank N Fair 33-1 (10-0) Held up in last pair, left modest 5th and hampered 9th, went moderate 4th before 2 out (normal 3 out), 4th of 7, 19 1/4l behind Tambura (11-9) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
