It is hard to escape the claims of MOUNT BENGER here, while Bamby might give him most to do. The selection absolutely dotted up in a Folkestone handicap hurdle last time, completing a hat-trick in the process, and a 7lb penalty looks unlikely to stop him if Jim Best has him in the same sort of form just six days on. This ground looks ideal, the trip will be fine, and if you are looking for a reason to oppose him then the long trip north or the massive actual racing weight might be reasons for taking him on, but he looks ahead of the assessor and we are not going to. Bamby is an interesting opponent. With Sue Smith's runners hitting form this mare needs consideration in such a poor race. The trip will suit, she has won on good and heavy ground so seems adaptable where conditions are concerned, and she has won after a long break before so she has claims. Woody Valentine sluiced up over two miles here in a selling handicap hurdle a couple of weeks ago, having been backed to do so, and he returns to the track unpenalised. With conditions to his liking he'd have to be respected with the yard in decent nick. Run Forest Run looks in need of better ground and Flying Doctor a drop in the weights, and Mount Benger looks to have outstanding claims here.
Mount Benger 3-1fav (11-7) Always prominent in chasing group, went 2nd going well 3 out, led on bit between last 2, soon well clear, canter, won at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs beating Rosoff (11-8) by 20l, 15 ran.
Flying Doctor 9-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 10, 12l behind Soul Angel (10-11) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Ormus 14-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 10th of 14, well behind Victorias Groom (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Presque Perdre 20-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, weakened 2 out, mistake last, last of 7, 23l behind Boris The Blade (11-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
Ardesia (IRE) 66-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, 7th of 16, 26l behind Bedizen (11-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Ice Image (IRE) 22-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out, 7th of 18, 17l behind Run Forest Run (10-9) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Karlani (IRE) 18-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Admiral Savannah (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Remainder 14-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, 28l behind Kyber (10-5) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
Woody Valentine (USA) 4-1jt-fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led 3 out, 15 lengths clear last, eased towards finish, easily, won at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Dec beating Ras Laffan (9-10) by 14l, 14 ran.
Run Forest Run (IRE) 10-3fav (11-7) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Upright Ima (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f ldy hcp hdl (5) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Bamby (IRE) 11-4fav (10-6) Took keen hold, tracked leader 2nd to 4th, on left and weakened approaching 2 out where mistake, 7th of 8, 42l behind Earlsfield Raider (10-11) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Apr.
Harcas (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Mid-division, effort after 8th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Bow School (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Nov, 13 ran.
Crossguard (USA) 50-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 13, 9l behind Naughty By Nature (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Seven Stars 80-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 8th of 16, 28l behind West With The Wind (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Delta Lady 33-1 (10-10) Raced keenly, held up, always towards rear, 9th of 14, 30l behind Woody Valentine (11-4) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Dec.
