FORESTSIDE is nominated now he steps up in trip; Eighteen Carat and Nafaath should provide the stiffest opposition. The last named is interesting as this classy flat horse was not a cheap purchase from Ireland and he shaped with promise when fifth to Blue Nymph at Doncaster on his hurdling debut. However, he is not necessarily a shoe-in to get this longer trip and he did wear blinkers on-and-off on the flat and there may be suspicions over his attitude. Therefore we side with Forestside who has had three hurdles runs over two miles but this former point-to-point winner now steps up in trip which will be ideal. Richard Johnson comes in for the ride and Jimmy Lambe has a profitable record at the track. He should be fine on this quicker ground, as should Against The Wind who remains capable of better. Eighteen Carat has the slightly stronger form and he should come on for a recent run behind stablemate Tara Royal at Sedgefield. Jason Maguire now takes over in the saddle and this Luso gelding should run well. Onajet is an interesting Antipodean fellow but his form is hard to weigh-up, Return Perk needs to improve massively for the drop in trip, whilst Schindlers Maze needs a market check as he has a crack at hurdling this afternoon. At a price, Moscow Mischief and Catch A Cloud are both capable of better than we have seen, with Graham Lee and interesting jockey booking on the latter; however, the nomination is given to Forestside.
Against The Wind 12-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, weakened approaching 2 out, last of 5, 23l behind Alvarado (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Nov.
Alexander Oats 40-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, lost place over 6f out, 10th of 16, well behind Willie Hall (10-11) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Digg Whitaker Mounting Spendent gelding out of Function Dreamer.
Eighteen Carat (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Raced keenly, in touch, effort 2 out, one pace from last, 5th of 10, 20l behind Tara Royal (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Forestside (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 7th and ridden after 3 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 25, 10l behind Grey Soldier (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn hdl hvy.
Murphys Future 40-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, outpaced 3f out, soon lost place, weakened, 9th of 10, 30l behind Tale Of Tanganyika (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gs.
Onajet (AUS) (9-2) in a race won by Russian Rule (10-1) at Casterton(AUS) 2m 3f hcp chs hvy in Jul, 11 ran.
Return Perk (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up, towards rear in 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 7, well behind Edge Of Town (11-2) at Ayr 3m nov hdl (4) gs.
Sandman (GER) (9-0) 7th of 8, well behind Viper (10-2) at Baden-Baden(GER) 2m 3yo hdl sft in Sep '08.
Schindlers Maze (IRE) 80-1 (10-11) Held up, tracked leaders 10th, weakened from 4 out, 3rd of 8, 33l behind Mumbles Head (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Glaced Over 50-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 13, 9l behind Final Day (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Moscow Mischief 18-1 (10-13) Took keen hold in rear, took wrong course after 6th and pulled up, in a race won by Diavoleria (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) hvy, 15 ran.
Snap Decision 250-1 (10-13) Mid-division, left closer after 6th, struggling 8th, tailed off, 8th of 15, well behind Diavoleria (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Catch A Cloud 14-1 (10-12) Held up, in touch approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, well behind Bocamix (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Nafaath (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 5th of 16, 8l behind Blue Nymph (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
