This is a wide open novices' hurdle so caution is advised, but MEGA WATT showed promise on debut and can improve enough to score from Tartan Tie and Horseshoe Reef. Venetia Williams' gelding coped well with heavy ground when third to a reasonable sort on debut and this race looks considerably weaker, so unless something is lurking amongst the pack a winning show can be expected. One potential fly in the ointment is Tartan Tie for the prospering yard of Alison Thorpe. This son of Grand Lodge won over a mile and a half on the flat so should have no problems with the trip, whilst a rating of 81 on the turf is better than that of our pick. However, he's got to show that heavy ground is suitable not to mention that he can jump proficiently so unless the market screams in his favour it might pay just to watch him this time. Horseshoe Reef was only beaten 16 lengths behind a smart sort on his hurdling debut but his subsequent third may not have been representative of a step forward. Indeed, that race at Taunton may have been weaker than this so with doubts about the testing conditions a place may be this one's best hope. Similar comments apply to I'm In The Pink although this reasonable flat performer has won on soft and may get through the ground better than some, whilst Very Edgy is another with claims taking a marked drop in class. The best is surely yet to come from Ceepeegee who could nab a place at a price; he's of more interest than Bariolo who makes his hurdling debut having shown only modest form on the level. The market may help seperate the wheat from the chaff here but Mega Watt may be too powerful for them all.
Bariolo (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 5l behind William's Way (10-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f am hcp (0-70) (5) pol in Mar (flat).
Bernie The Banker 100-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, 12th of 14, well behind Larks Lad (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Ceepeegee (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, pushed along 7f out, outpaced over 5f out, 4th of 6, 29l behind Brackloon High (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
Heroic Lad 200-1 (11-0) Led, fell 7th, in a race won by Predictive (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Horseshoe Reef (AUS) 10-1 (11-3) Jumped left, led until approaching 2 out, mistake last, edged right and stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Hucking Hero (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
I'm In The Pink (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace, no impression, 5th of 14, 17l behind Tito Bustillo (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Mega Watt (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Soon chased leader, challenged and mistake 3 out, still chance 2 out, weakened between last 2, 3rd of 11, 17l behind General Kutuzov (11-4) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Not Another Barney (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) (cp) led 2-6; wknd 11; to & pu 2 out, in a race won by Fairly Glorious (12-0) at Lower Machen 3m ptp gf in May, 11 ran.
Tartan Tie 15-8fav (9-4) In touch, ridden along over 3f out, driven over 1f out, one pace final furlong, had no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Charlotte Vale (8-8) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in May '08 (flat).
The Fox's Decree 33-1 (11-4) In rear, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 13, 41l behind Extreme Impact (10-7) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Tiger Dream 16-1 (8-3) Pulled hard, in touch, ridden 2f out, hampered approaching final furlong, driven to chase winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Mr Willis (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov (flat).
Very Edgy (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 12, 40l behind Ranjobaie (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs.
Douryna 66-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 7, 35l behind Topsham Belle (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy.
Jack Rio (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway 3 out,weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 12, 39l behind Hucking Hero (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Little Fee 100-1 (9-11) Towards rear, ridden 6f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, well behind High Gales (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Raquel White 25-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway after 4th, went 2nd before next where jumped slowly, stayed on same pace from 2 out, mistake last, 4th of 12, 5l behind Hucking Hero (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
History Lesson 25-1 (10-7) Held up, in rear, not fluent 1st, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, tailed off, in a race won by Najaf (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) gs, 5 ran.
Black Phantom (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Held up, headway after 4f, lost place over 5f out, hampered over 3f out, 11th of 13, 36l behind Cue Card (10-7) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
