Barton Sun does have a penalty to carry for his win at Newcastle last month but Ferdy Murphy's gelding was value for more than his winning margin would suggest that day and is taken to follow up in a race where the main threats look to be Star Angler and Hold The Bid. The last mentioned ran better at Catterick last time but earlier form is of some concern and Sue Smith's gelding may need some help from the handicapper. Native City has shown little worthwhile form over hurdles and may do better now switched to the larger obstacles but is hard to back with confidence, while Alfadora failed to progress from his debut spin over fences when disappointing at Warwick last time and is probably best left out of calculations. Star Angler was good value for his win at Uttoxeter last month and has to be respected despite a 5lb rise for that success but Barton Sun won with plenty in hand at Newcastle and is taken to fallow up.
Hold The Bid (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, blundered 7th, outpaced after 3 out, rallied next, one pace, 5th of 13, 5l behind Oscar The Boxer (10-8) at Catterick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Spiritual Society (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) In rear, headway 8th, ridden and weakening when hit 3 out, 6th of 10, 22l behind Sir Brastias (11-11) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Star Angler (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Raced wide, held up, not fluent 10th, headway 4 out, chased clear leader approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out to lead final 75 yards, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Jan beating Little Villain (9-9) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Barton Sun (IRE) 3-1 (10-5) In touch, headway 4 out, led next, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan beating Jimmys Duky (9-11) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Native City (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 5th, 8th of 15, 35l behind Wyldello (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Thyne Supreme (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) In touch, weakened 7th, soon behind, 8th of 11, well behind Rehearsal (11-4) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Jan.
Faraway Echo 6-1 (10-4) Held up, outpaced from 5th, weakened next, 7th of 9, 46l behind Tashkandi (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f ldy hcp hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Alfadora 9-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 12th, mistake 13th, plugged on, 3rd of 10, 29l behind Milan Deux Mille (11-6) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
