WASHINGTON IRVING was extremely impressive when scoring a bloodless success over course and distance last time and should follow up here from Glingermill and Glenwood Knight. Our selection scored by 15 lengths under identical conditions back in November and has been found the ideal race to repeat the trick with the opposition looking relatively limited. An expensive purchase from Aiden O'Brien, this imposing sort looks destined for better things over hurdles and this should be a simple task. Glingermill is rated most likely to make a race of it here in receipt of 7lbs from our pick. Nicky Richards' gelding was well supported ahead of his debut in a National Hunt Flat contest back in October and showed signs of ability in taking third. Today's rain softened conditions and the addition of hurdles pose an entirely different question but he's related to plenty of winners at around this trip and should run a decent race as should Glenwood Knight if he's fit and ready. Donald McCain's son of Presenting has been off the track for over a year but with the stable going well there's every chance he could take a hand in the finish with the form of his debut second to Lie Forritt looking rock solid, albeit that was in a bumper. The market should tell us more as to this one's chances but if he's not fully wound up then Dot's Delight might rate the next best. Mark Rimmell's mare won a decent enough contest at Lingfield last time and will relish conditions so must be respected in what, the favourite aside, isn't the strongest of contests. King Penda looks his stable's second string but should improve for this switch to hurdles whilst the booking of Graham Lee aboard the yard's third runner Flaming Thistle catches the eye and Future Vision should be capable of better than he's shown so far but none of them carry the potential of Washington Irving who gets our confident vote.
Washington Irving (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Held up mid-division, went 2nd on bit over 3 out, hit 2 out, led last, soon drew clear, won at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Oil Burner (10-7) by 15l, 12 ran.
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.
Akiem (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) In rear, pushed along and headway approaching 2 out, left 4th last, hampered and kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 19l behind Makhzoon (10-12) at Leicester 2m cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) hvy.
Charlie Bucket 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division, outpaced 4f out, never on terms, 7th of 13, 43l behind Bridlingtonbygones (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Dot's Delight 15-2 (10-5) Held up in rear, soon headway on wide outside well before 2 out, disputing lead 2 out, soon challenging, led and hit last, stayed on well flat, won at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Megasue (10-10) by 1l, 12 ran.
Flaming Thistle (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Native Thistle.
Future Vision 50-1 (10-7) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 15, 31l behind Dr Livingstone (10-12) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf.
Glenwood Knight (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Prominent, led 5th, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, soon hung left, rallied to lead flat, all out, finished 1st (placed 2nd), in a race won by Darstardly Dick (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Dec '08, 10 ran.
Glingermill (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up in rear, headway over 5f out, challenged 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Last Of The Bunch (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) gf in Oct.
King Penda (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, raced keenly, headway on inside over 4f out, not clear run and bumped over 2f out, went 3rd, no chance with front pair over 1f out, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Seasonselite (10-6) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jun.
Ladies Best 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 3rd & 4th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 13, well behind Finian's Rainbow (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Parson's Punch 12-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, kept on from 2 out, no impression, 6th of 12, 17l behind Mesbaah (10-12) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Sirmuhta (FR) 66-1 (10-13) Held up and keen, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 20l behind Sheepclose (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Moscow Mischief 20-1 (10-10) Close up, lost place from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Smuglin (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Princess Rainbow (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Held up, pushed along approaching 4th, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 47l behind Bathwick Quest (11-1) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (3yo+) (4) hvy in Nov.
Watercolours (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) In rear, short-lived effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 34l behind Annie May (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
