There's no doubting that Lucinda Russell's Duke Of Malfi is on top form having landed his last two starts and while we respect his chance we're going to give SHELOMOH a chance to bounce back now eased in trip while More Like It also makes some appeal after a progressive run of results. It would appear the pick's stamina gave out when trying to land his own hat-trick off this mark last time. Previously he ran really well under a penalty to set up the hat-trick bid and back down at a similar sort of test to that of his forementionedpurple patch he may be worth chancing again. Duke Of Malfi is the obvious alternative as he was impressive when landing the his last score at Ayr in December. He's up six pound for that, which seems fair, and another bold bid is expected. More Like It and Lerida both have claims after finding just the one too good on their last starts but with the handicapper putting them both up in the weights we feel the need to side with Shelomoh.
Ormus 40-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed approaching and mistake 2 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 15, 22l behind Blacks Bridge (11-6) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Shelomoh (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Prominent lost place approaching 8th, tracked leaders 11th, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Pamak D'airy (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Bamby (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Led to 2nd, tracked winner, lost place 4 out, outpaced when left 3rd next, no impression, 4th of 9, 18l behind Carrietau (11-2) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Norminster 33-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Berwick Law (11-9) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Teenando (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along 13th, soon lost place, 4th beaten when blundered 4 out, left narrow 25 length down in 2nd next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 31l behind Tank Buster (11-9) at Market Rasen 3m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Storm Surge (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, kept on from last, 4th of 15, 5l behind Blacks Bridge (11-6) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Duke of Malfi 3-1 (10-11) Led early, chased leader, led approaching 4 out, clear from 2 out, won at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec beating Original Fly (11-7) by 5l, 6 ran.
Ardesia (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Held up, mistake 2nd, rider lost irons, pulled up after 5th, in a race won by Amir Pasha (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 17 ran.
Lerida 14-1 (10-11) Led to 5th, tracked leader, led again after 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, no extra, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Desperate Dex (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Watch The Wind 16-1 (9-11) Always towards rear, 8th of 15, 23l behind Blacks Bridge (11-6) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
More Like It (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, outpaced approaching 4 out, stayed on from last, went 2nd flat, 2nd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Blacks Bridge (11-6) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
