A real conundrum with SURFBOARD only a speculative pick against Qhilimar and Coach Lane. A progressive sort when trained by Paul Blockley, there have clearly been one or two issues in relation to soundness but a recent spin over hurdles should have dusted off the cobwebs and we are confident of a big run. Qhilimar relishes the mud so conditions are very much in his favour. It will be interesting to note what effect the application of blinkers will have. Coach Lane is still well treated on old form. Regrettably, his recent runs have not hinted at a return to his previous glories anytime soon. Fourball produced a much better run at Warwick over the new year period and three miles seems to be his best trip. Mr Big has had a couple of inauspicious runs in cross country races and returns back to the regulation fences. Michigan d'Isop and Milton des Bieffes are creditable enough against lesser opposition but this looks a tough ask. Not a race for the housekeeping and while Surfboard has the fitness concern against him, he might just have a bit too much ability for the remainder.
Surfboard (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, pushed along 4th, never dangerous, 14th of 15, well behind Classic Dream (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Qhilimar (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden and headway under pressure 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Sound Stage (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) sft in Dec.
Mr Big (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, pecked 4th, led 19th to next, lost place 25th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Garde Champetre (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) sft in Dec.
Coach Lane 5-1 (11-9) Chased leader to 6th, ridden after next, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 8, 48l behind Noble Crusader (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Fourball (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) In touch, not fluent 12th, hung left from approaching 2 out, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Pontiff (10-10) at Warwick 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Michigan d'Isop (FR) 14-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 13th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, soon ridden, 8 lengths down no impression when not fluent last, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Plein Pouvoir (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Milton Des Bieffes (FR) 5-1 (10-10) Led, ridden after 4 out, headed when not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Western Whisky (10-7) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
