Sigurd is on a roll and has Brian Hughes in the saddle again but he has more than 11 lengths to find with THE MANUSCRIPT on Market Rasen running last month and is 8lb worse off. Jonjo O’Neill’s charge showed massive improvement that day and has to be the selection today if that wasn’t a false dawn. Event Of Sivola’s fall at Ayr was a rare blemish and it would be no surprise to see him back in the frame here while Ladronne has been steadily coming to hand. Dragonfruit is 1-1 over fences and only a six-year-old so preferred to Absolutely Dylan and Cougar's Gold of the others.
Dragonfruit 4-1 (11-8) Held up in mid-division, ridden 6th, effort after 3 out, no impression 2 out, mistake last, 6th of 13, 10l behind Zhiguli (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Ladronne (FR) 4-1 (10-8) Held up in mid-division, mistake 8th, headway when slightly hampered 3 out, kept on well from last, 4th of 6, 4l behind Empire De Maulde (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Noruki (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) (cp) hdwy 12; went 2nd 14; wknd qckly 3 out, 4th of 11, 36l behind Second Time Around (12-0) at Larkhill 3m gd in Dec.
Last Encounter (IRE) 125-1 (10-13) Towards rear, mistake 11th, well beaten 3 out, mistake last, last of 8, 35l behind Flagrant Delitiep (11-8) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Event Of Sivola (FR) 4-1 (10-8) Fell 1st, at Ayr 3m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Cougar's Gold (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, not fluent 12th, headway after 17th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 26 3/4l behind Nearly Perfect (12-3) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Sigurd (GER) 13-8fav (11-1) Disputed lead early, led 4th, headed 7th, led again after 4 out, going well 3 out, drew clear before 2 out, easily, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (5) hvy in Jan beating Furius De Ciergues (11-5) by dist, 9 ran.
The Manuscript (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Pressed leader, led 11th, clear 3 out, eased flat, comfortable, won at Market Rasen 3m hcp (5) sft in Dec beating Picknick Park (10-4) by 11l, 13 ran.
Absolutely Dylan (IRE) 7-4fav (11-3) Prominent, hit 3 out and gave winner handy advantage, closed inside 200 yards, stayed on, unable to get on terms, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Overworkdunderpaid (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
High Counsel (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) In touch in mid-division, struggling 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 10, dist behind Do You Know What (11-9) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Purcell's Bridge (FR) 50-1 (11-9) Mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders before 15th, weakened 4 out, hung left after, 5th of 10, 33 1/4l behind Robin Deuz Pois (11-3) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Smuggler's Stash (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Prominent, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 4th of 13, 34 3/4l behind Sigurd (10-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
