Verdict

Oristano gets the confident vote in this novices hurdle with Big John Macarty and Oscardeal rating the main dangers. The selection showed a fair bit of ability in his native France, looks sure to improve for the longer trip and under conditions that suit he looks the one to be on.Big John Macarty rates the msain danger as he looks sure to improve for this switch to hurdles and longer trip but the suspicion is he will be seen to better effect once handicaped and he is taken on with this in mind. Oscardeal could improve for the fitting of first timer blinkers but will need to do so to trouble the principals. Of the remainder Fingersthumbsngums has yet to complete the course in two trys over hurdles so can not be put forward with any confidence. This race lacks strengh in depth and for the winner we return to Oristano,

Formwatch

Big John Macarty (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Chased leaders until 6f out, 9th of 11, well behind Sir Harry Ormesher (10-6) at Ascot 2m nhf (4) gs in Feb.

Fingersthumbsngums (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Prominent, jumped right 5th, reminders next, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Very Special One (10-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 11 ran.

Little Shilling (IRE) 250-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, behind from 7th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Sherwoods Folly (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.

Oristano (FR) (10-1) Always in the rear, 9th of 13, well behind Outaouais (10-6) at Auteuil 2m 2f chs sft in Sept.

Oscardeal (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Prominent, jumped slowly 3rd, lost place 4th, behind from 6th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Good Spirit (10-11) at Stratford 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Feb, 7 ran.

Clifton 25-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 11, 36l behind Valiant Shadow (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.

Byways Boy 33-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened over 3f out, 6th of 10, 35l behind Choumakeur (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) hvy in Feb.