It's a small but quality field rocking up for this handicap hurdle in which CASSIUS should continue his progressive profile and score again at the expense of Dzesmin who should go well on his return to action and Well Disguised returned with purpose last time so should go on from that. Rarely out of the frame the selection was an easy winner of a similar race over a about this far last time. Conditions definitely suit him and he should be able to shoulder his 13lb mark rise. Dzemin was last seen 177 days ago on the level where he ran well enough. The last time we saw him jumping he was scoring in novice company and based on that run he looks handicapped to make a challenge. Well Disguised put an absence of 223 days behind him last time to put in a solid effort in testing conditions. This is more his ground and he has a good record over course and distance. Palomar should be seen in a better light dropping in class and weight but in a good little contest CASSIUS looks to have a really good chance.
Palomar (USA) 13-2 (10-10) Held up in rear, ridden and outpaced 8th, never on terms, 7th of 9, 21l behind Albanov (10-4) at Kelso 2m 1f Ltd hcp chs (2) gs in Nov.
Dzesmin (POL) 6-5fav (10-12) Held up in touch, led 3 out, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov '08 beating Border Reiver (11-5) by 2l, 14 ran.
Cassius (IRE) 7-4fav (11-1) Tracked leader, led approaching 4th, stayed on well from last, won at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft beating Glingerbank (11-12) by 8l, 10 ran.
Nelson du Ronceray (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Headway to chase leaders 3 out, challenged next, weakened from last, 5th of 10, 28l behind Cassius (11-1) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Well Disguised (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 12l behind Percussionist (11-12) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Nevsky Bridge 8-1 (10-12) Held up, went 4th 2 out, no impression, 6th of 9, well behind Open de L'Isle (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
