TRAPPER PEAK seems to get better with age. He was placed in a better race than this over track and trip last time and Emma Smith-Chaston takes off a valuable 7lb today so he’s preferred to stablemate George Gently. Temple Man was all out to score over a shorter trip at Kelso in December and is 6lb higher but Kauto Amour has only been raised 3lb for a first career victory at Newcastle. Toksana has gone off the boil and the others are even harder to recommend.
Trapper Peak (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Held up in 5th, outpaced before 2 out, plugged on in 3rd at the last, 3rd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Annsam (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
George Gently (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 37 3/4l behind Waterproof (10-7) at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Temple Man 7-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, led before last, hung right run-in, looked tired, all out, won at Kelso 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Rubytwo (11-5) by 3l, 14 ran.
Kauto D'Amour (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Close up, ridden 2 out, driven and ran on to lead towards finish (only 8 hurdle jumped, first hurdle away from stands omitted ), won at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Bestiarius (11-10) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Paper Roses (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden 3 out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 10, 17 1/2l behind Kauto D'Amour (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Oksana 25-1 (11-0) Behind, switched right after 3 out, no impression, 7th of 9, 25 1/4l behind Ilaya (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Ballycrystal (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up, hit 3 out, soon lost place, stayed on into 4th, never a threat, 4th of 10, 18 1/4l behind Hometown Boy (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Coniston Spa (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Towards rear, mistake 3rd and 5th, soon struggling and pulled up before 6th, at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
