Martin Pipe's horses have been running well when coming back from a break of late so it may be worth chancing his representative Honan, who is preferred to Misbehaviour and Barton Gate. The last mentioned had to be dropped into a seller to resume winning ways last time and this looks tougher so he may be best watched today. Silistra would have claims on the form shown when successful over course and distance last month but disappointed on a return visit here last time and is hard to recommend on that evidence. Wenger had little chance behind a well-handicapped rival at Taunton last time and comes from a stable in good form right now, while Shaman is hard to recommend on recent evidence but has claims on his best form. Misbehaviour has been running with more consistency over hurdles of late and is another to consider but the vote goes to Honan. Martin Pipe's gelding is no world-beater but is well treated on his best, goes on the ground and has had a nice break since his latest start so could do better now.
Barton Gate 11-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (G) hvy in Dec beating The Wife's Sister (10-0) by 8l, 12 ran.
Wenger (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, one pace, 5th of 14, 22l behind Nippy Des Mottes (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Dec.
Misbehaviour 11-2 (10-13) Held up, headway to track leaders, going well between last 2, soon chased winner, chance last, ridden and found little run-in, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Isam Top (10-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Honan (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden after 5th, outpaced 3 out, headway approaching last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Killing Me Softly (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) sft in Dec.
Shaman 25-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 5th, headway next, led briefly approaching 3 out, weakened and hit last 2, 8th of 12, 22l behind Alph (11-10) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Silistra 16-1 (10-9) Behind most of way, ridden and struggling 6th, 7th of 12, 20l behind Alph (11-10) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Fireside Legend (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 8th of 11, well behind Borehill Joker (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hdl (G) gf in May.
