GENERAL HARDI is narrowly preferred here to Wizards Dust, Simply Smashing and chasing debutant Plenty Of Chat. John Wade's gelding races off a mark of 101 today which is just 5lb higher than when demolishing a similar field at Newcastle a year ago. He has had excuses for his two runs since a summer break (reappearance run firstly then an inadequate trip latest) and on ground that suits he could take all the beating. Course winner Snowy has shown that he is no back number this season when winning on his reappearance, however, his last three runs have been poor and he seems to go best for Timmy Murphy who is absent today. Seize has threatened to win since his summer in the field but is yet to do so and he is passed over, as is Wizards Dust despite a break to freshen him up. He looks fairly handicapped but his overall profile is too erratic to fancy strongly. Coldwells disappointed last time out but would be interesting with market support, whilst Simply Smashing should appreciate the ground conditions today and is not passed over lightly. Star Beat tries blinkers, however, a bigger threat may be Plenty Of Chat. He travels a long way for this chasing debut and this consistent son of Oscar may relish the bigger obstacles this afternoon. This looks a good chance for General Hardi to prosper.
Snowy (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, outpaced 4 out, left 12 lengths down in 3rd when hampered and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by John Forbes (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f clm chs (4) gs, 7 ran.
General Hardi 25-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, badly hampered after 3 out, not recover, 7th of 11, 35l behind Lease Lend (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Seize 5-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 24l behind The Snail (11-10) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jan.
Wizards Dust 4-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, chasing leaders when hampered 6th, weakened from 5 out, 5th of 8, 39l behind Nelliedonethat (10-11) at Musselburgh 3m cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Coldwells (IRE) 11-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway and in touch 13th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 15, 32l behind BallaBriggs (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Simply Smashing (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced approaching 2 out, never on terms, 5th of 10, 13l behind Waterski (10-4) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Star Beat 15-2 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place from 10th, 7th of 12, well behind Wogan (11-8) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gs in Jan.
Windy Hills 5-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 5th of 9, 23l behind Dark Ben (10-7) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Plenty Of Chat (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Held up in rear, not fluent 9th, headway next, mistake 11th, mistake 3 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 12, 15l behind Thirtythreeblack (10-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jul.
