Verdict

CARRICKMINES should be up to defying a penalty in this company and is preferred to Bobby Donald and The Hardy Boy. The last named won this prize last year under similar conditions from a 4lb higher mark so has an obvious chance whilst he needed a couple of runs to hit form last year so he should be spot on. He finished one place behind Bobby Donald at Warwick on his latest outing and that rival should go close again if he can build on that run as he has form to his name under similar conditions and is handily weighted. Majic Moments wears blinkers for the first time following a modest run at the track last month and he has questions to answer unlike Carrickmines who ran out a ready winner at Chepstow. That was a weak race but the runner-up has since run a fair race over hurdles to give the form some substance and he had the race under control from some way out. He'll have to race from a 4lb higher mark in the future so is theoretically well treated and Carrickmines should be able to take advantage.

Formwatch

Majic Moments (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Took keen hold early, held up in rear, blundered 14th, not on terms when blundered badly 3 out, not recover, tailed off, 5th of 6, 33l behind Its A Classic (11-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Nov.

Bobby Donald (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Mistake 1st, prominent, chased leader 11th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace in 3rd when hit last, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Like A Duke (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.

Carrickmines (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Keen early, soon tracking leader, led after 4th, clear approaching last, easily, won at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Nov beating Cesium (10-6) by 18l, 7 ran.

The Hardy Boy 14-1 (10-13) Prominent in chasing group, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 10, 18l behind Like A Duke (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.

Rince Donn (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Towards rear, ridden and outpaced 3 out, 5th unbeaten and mistake last, 5th of 13, 20l behind Star Galaxy (9-9) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.

Space Cowboy (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Unruly to mount, held up in rear, bustled along and looked reluctant after 5th, driven after 11th, mistake next, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Dusk (10-6) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov, 7 ran.

Just Playfull 11-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 14th, chased winner after 3 out until soon after last, weakened run-in, 5th of 10, 10l behind Ray Mond (9-11) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.