Teenando loves it around here and will take a bit of beating, but preference is for RAPID INCREASE, while Of Course is respected. The selection was good value for a three length Hereford win last time, when the ground was described as soft. The drop in trip should not make a huge difference on this thoroughly testing ground, plus a stiffish track, and now that he has hit some form we will side with him. Of Course knows his way around here, with two seconds and a win at the track last time, for which he has been raised 4lbs. Heavy and soft going both suit him, while this trip is his optimum, and he is much respected. All three of Teenando's career wins have come here, two of them being over this sort of trip and on heavy ground. He is 4lbs higher than his best winning mark today, but with his claimer lightening that load by 7lbs he is not ruled out. Toulouse Express was a 10-length Sedgefield scorer last time and he is now 8lbs higher. Trip and ground are his optimum today, but he is inconsistent and may not reproduce his running. Bene Lad has a major absence to overcome and has failed to complete on his only two chase outings so far. He stays further, but a clear round is probably the best he can hope for under the circumstances. That brings us back to Rapid Increase. Jonjo O'Neill returns to what used to be his local track with this six-year-old gelding, who we hope will be good enough to record back-to-back wins.
Original Fly (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Held up, mistake 5th, blundered 5 out, ridden approaching 3 out, went 3rd approaching last, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Duke of Malfi (10-11) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Primrose Time 8-1 (9-13) Led to 1st, remained with winner until blundered 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Bedlam Boy (11-5) at Ayr 2m nov chs (3) sft.
Bracken Lad (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, weakened from 3 out, 9th of 12, 44l behind Olifan d'Oudairies (11-2) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Rapid Increase (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 14th, led 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well flat, won at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft beating Sir Winston (11-3) by 3l, 14 ran.
Of Course (FR) 3-1fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, under pressure last, hard ridden flat, kept on, won at Carlisle 2m 4f am hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov beating Below The Deck (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Seven Is Lucky (IRE) 13-2 (11-10) Jumpled slowly 1st, always behind, 8th of 11, 33l behind Bob's Dream (11-5) at Carlisle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
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.
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, 14 ran.
Toulouse Express (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Led to 5th, remained in touch, led again 9th, ridden 2 out, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating Baltic Pathfinder (11-2) by 10l, 10 ran.
The Green Hat (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) With leader, led 4 out, headed final 100 yards, no extra, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Treehouse (11-2) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp 0-90 (5) hvy.
Treasured Memories 9-2 (11-10) Prominent, headway 10th, lost place 12th rallied 3 out, 2 lengths down in 3rd when fell next, in a race won by Sabreflight (10-11) at Carlisle 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar, 6 ran.
Hurricane Jack 8-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, lost place 4th, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Shaking Hands (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov, 10 ran.
Bene Lad (IRE) 10-3fav (10-8) Close up, every chance 4 out and next, one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Lady Sambury (9-13) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in May '08.
Contendo 33-1 (9-7) Held up, fell 3rd, in a race won by Olifan d'Oudairies (11-2) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft, 12 ran.
It's My Party 20-1 (9-9) Held up, weakened from 10th, 5th of 7, 36l behind Olay Olay (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Nov '07.
