A Tail Of Intrigue won a point-to-point on good going and wasn't beaten far in an Exeter handicap on heavy ground last month. Shaiyzar, a dual hurdles winner, has had 26 starts over fences without winning but ran well at Wetherby last time when the remainder were a long way behind. Monsieur Bagot had shown nothing before a better effort at Newcastle though he's yet to prove he stays this far but BOCASIEN DESBOIS should have no problems with the trip. He hasn't quite fulfilled the promise of his debut success over fences but he's run in better company in all starts and this should prove within his capabilities. The veteran Dartford Warbler won't mind the conditions and is only 1lb higher than when landing a similar race at Hexham in June.
A Tail Of Intrigue (IRE) 16-1 (12-2) Held up, headway 4th, challenged 8th, led after 10th, headed before 4 out, plugged on, 4th of 16, 5 1/2l behind Kilcrea Bridge (11-10) at Exeter 3m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Monsieur Bagot (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Held up, closed on outside 9th, pushed along 11th, outpaced 5 out, well beaten 3 out, rallied last, stayed on, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Younoso (10-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Bocasien Desbois (FR) 7-1 (11-1) Behind, headway to track leaders halfway, effort 2 out, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 8, 13l behind King Golan (10-7) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Dartford Warbler (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Disputed lead, not fluent 13th, led before next, headed 4 out, outpaced when lost 2nd 2 out, well held in 3rd between last 2, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Mcginty's Dream (10-0) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Alto Des Mottes (FR) 11-1 (10-9) Chased leaders to 11th, reminders after next, behind from 4 out, 6th of 10, 23l behind Nortonthorpelegend (10-10) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Shaiyzar (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway halfway, mistake 14th, chased leaders 4 out, hampered and left in 2nd 2 out, kept on well closing stages, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Nortonthorpelegend (11-12) at Wetherby 3m 3f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Kilmacallogue Bay 7-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, mistake 10th, weakened 13th, blundered 15th, tailed off 5 out, pulled up before next, at Wetherby 3m 3f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
