The opening novices¿ hurdle looks to be between In Accord, Emmasflora and Triple Mint with our vote going to In Accord. He has all his best form on heavy going, he won at Exeter over an extended three miles last time out and had previously won in the mud at Chepstow. Stamina will be the issue today and he looks to have bags of it, his stable are in form and his jockey takes off a useful seven pounds. Emmasflora was second behind a well-fancied Nicky Henderson horse at this course earlier this month and then scored in heavy ground at Sedgefield last time out. She looks sure to give a good account of herself here. Triple Mint will be looking to follow up his February win at this course. That win came on heavy ground and he should handle the step up in the trip. The Ginger McCain five-year-old represents the biggest threat to our selection, In Accord.
In Accord 10-11fav (11-9) Held up, headway 7th, joined leader 2 out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Exeter 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar beating El Hombre Del Rio (11-3) by a nk, 8 ran.
Emmasflora 7-4fav (10-10) Led to 1st, tracked leader, led again 4 out, clear next, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar beating Water Taxi (11-8) by 14l, 11 ran.
Gritti Palace (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Led to 2nd, outpaced and behind from 4 out, last of 6, 26l behind Neptune Collonges (11-11) at Haydock 2m 7f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Triple Mint (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on well to lead towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb beating Major Catch (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Dinnie Flanagan (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up, headway halfway, joined leaders approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 10, 11l behind According To John (12-1) at Carlisle 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Hold The Bid (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) With leader, in 2nd when blundered and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Oscatello (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 3f cnd nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar, 6 ran.
Izzyizzenty 11-1 (10-13) Behind, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 12, well behind Stagecoach Diamond (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Scania Classic 125-1 (11-0) Always in rear, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind Chiaro (11-7) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
