Despite his 7lb penalty Barton Nic still looks to be well ahead of the handicapper and is taken to follow up his recent Haydock success at the main expense of Lease Back and Elfkirk. The selection remains well treated on his hurdles form and has been showing gradual improvement over fences, including under similarly testing conditions, so there is no reason why Paul Kean'e gelding should not defy his big weight. Soeur Fontenail has looked a reformed character of late but there is a suspicion that the handicapper now has his measure, while Acertack is held by the selection on running over course and distance earlier this month. Dedrunknmunky is less exposed than most and could be well treated for his debut in a handicap so has to be respected in receipt of weight from the selection. Lease Back has more to do than when landing a Newton Abbot novices' hurdle last time and of and a bigger threat may come from Elfkirk, who was good value for his win here last week and cannot be ruled out under his penalty. Barton Nic is in a rich vein of form right now though and is taken to score again.
Barton Nic 7-1 (10-0) Held up behind, headway 8th, led last, ridden clear flat, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy beating Nowator (10-13) by 10l, 11 ran.
Elfkirk (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, hit 9th, led approaching next, ridden clear, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft beating The Outlier (11-10) by 5l, 9 ran.
Lease Back (FR) Evensjt-fav (11-0) Prominent, headway to lead 7th, clear on bit 3 out, easily, won at N Abbot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) gs in May beating Boulevardofdreams (11-2) by 12l, 7 ran.
Soeur Fontenail (FR) 20-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden and stayed on same pace from 4 out, 4th of 16, 18l behind Rubberdubber (11-8) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Dedrunknmunky (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Led until 4 out, soon ridden, rallied to go 2nd 2 out, led soon after last, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 2m 4f mrs nov chs (E) sft in Nov beating Reseda (10-12) by 2l, 6 ran.
Acertack (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Hit 1st, chased leaders, headway to lead 5th to 8th, mistake and driven 9th, weakening when blundered 10th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Barton Nic (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 7 ran.
Sarahs Quay (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Led 2nd, headed 9th, mistake 11th, weakening in 4th when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Mon Mome (12-1) at Fontwell 3m 2f nov chs (3) sft, 7 ran.
