After failing to take to fences, Abricot De L'oasis returned to hurdling with a narrow defeat at Leicester, though has been raised 4lb for that. Bryden Boy bolted up at Uttoxeter last month but the going here may not be testing enough and he has a 9lb hike in the weights to contend with. Doncaster winner Midnight Cowboy has yet to show he stays this far but ABBREVIATE wasn’t stopping over 2m5f at Ascot and should find the trip no problem. Kim Bailey’s charge won on soft going at Southwell last season so has plenty in his favour. West Torr has been disappointing since scoring at Ffos Las in the summer but Will O'the West could be interesting as he was highly tried in the autumn and was only beaten a neck over this trip at Cheltenham in October.
Abricot De L'Oasis (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Jumped left at times, led, driven after 3 out, headed last, every chance flat, ran on, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Ten Sixty (11-8) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Will O'The West (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, weakened from next, 9th of 13, dist behind Anteros (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
Abbreviate (GER) 10-1 (11-7) Held up in mid-division on inside, headway after 3 out, 2nd and every chance 2 out, led narrowly last, headed run-in, kept on, always held, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Kalondra (11-12) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Ballyhenry (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Always towards rear, pushed along after 5th struggling in last trio 13th, tailed off, 8th of 13, dist behind Onderun (10-3) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Bryden Boy (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) In rear on outer, headway before 3 out, led and clear before last, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Holbrook Park (11-12) by 12l, 11 ran.
Orchard Boy (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Led and set steady pace, hit 6th and narrowly headed chased leader, every chance when hit 3 out, held when went right 2 out, ridden and lost 2nd between last 2, weakened approaching last, 6th of 8, 10 1/4l behind Jaleo (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Midnight Cowboy 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, strongly pressed run-in, battled on gamely, all out, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Dec beating Aliandy (11-10) by ns, 10 ran.
West Torr (IRE) 17-2 (11-12) Held up, modest 4th 3 out, went 3rd post, never on terms, 3rd of 10, 15 1/2l behind Black Ivory (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Doctor Look Here (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, 7th of 11, dist behind Bryden Boy (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Midnight Target 9-4 (11-3) In touch in mid-division, closed 4 out, soon outpaced, rallied approaching last, stayed on, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Wolftrap (11-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Glengra (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) In rear, ridden headway 3 out, soon chased clear winner, weakened approaching last, 5th of 8, 31 3/4l behind Mr Snoozy (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
