In an ultra-tight handicap hurdle it might be worth seeking some value and siding with NEVSKY BRIDGE, who is more reasonably treated these days, with Tchkita difficult to assess in a handicap for the first time while Miss Tarantella is up in the weights despite defeat last time. Racing off a mark just two pounds heavier than when last in front the selection is not a hugely confident pick but should be capable of a bold bid. He may also have been beaten by the ground on his last two starts and he looks one of the likelier types. Tchkita has shaped with a modicum of promise in a couple of starts and although he should improve his mark is not obviously lenient so we take a watching brief on his handicap debut. Miss Tarentella was one of a pair clear of the rest last time, which was a much improved effort, so if building on that should be close again off a five pound higher rating. Samizdat was expected to do better last time and on the pick of his form is entitled to get involved but in a trappy contest Nevsky Bride looks value and looks as good as any.
Winged Farasi 14-1 (11-9) In rear, not fluent 3rd, soon pushed along, well behind 5th, tailed off, 11th of 12, 47l behind King High (11-0) at Worcester 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sep.
Don't Rush It (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Mid-division, lost touch after 4 out, behind when pulled before 2 out, in a race won by Borrowaddy (11-11) at Kilbeggan 3m hcp hdl 0-116 gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Pillar of Hercules (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, ridden after 3 out, never dangerous, last of 13, well behind Mcmurdo Sound (10-11) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sep.
Tchikita (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Tracked winner, challenged 4 out, ridden and outpaced 2 out, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 16, 12l behind Diklers Oscar (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Its Tough (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up, struggling from 3rd, no danger after, 9th of 11, 34l behind Grandad Bill (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Nevsky Bridge 16-1 (10-13) Behind, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 11, 27l behind Grandad Bill (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Prioryjo 14-1 (11-11) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, soon outpaced, 5th and ridden when mistake next, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 31l behind Petroglyph (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Dark Gentleman 20-1 (11-5) Held up, badly hampered 6th, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, 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.
Samizdat (FR) 7-2fav (11-9) In touch, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, one pace between last 2, 6th of 12, 12l behind I'm Your Man (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Miss Tarantella 16-1 (10-1) Mid-division, led 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, regained lead approaching last, headed soon after, kept on, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Mister Marker (11-8) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Cornish Castle (USA) 25-1 (10-7) Held up, pushed along 5th, soon weakened, 7th of 20, 21l behind Shadrack (10-6) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Kalibs Dream 100-1 (9-10) Close up on outside, lost place approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Young Buddy (10-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Pay On (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Held up, effort 8th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 16l behind Solway Sunset (11-12) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Amjad 15-2 (10-8) Mid-division, hampered 5th, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, 6th last, stayed on well flat, not reach leaders, 4th of 12, 6l behind I'm Your Man (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
