David Pipe muddies the waters by running both Quinte Du Chatelet and Painter Man, both under 7lb penalties for easy recent successes. It's hard to choose between the pair as both handle the forecast ground and therefore we'll look elsewhere and row in with SPIRIT D'ARMOR. Venetia Williams' charge was always travelling well when scoring at Huntingdon when clearly relishing the step-up in trip. There looked to be more to come that day and can follow up here, albeit in a stronger contest. Calico Rose has form claims if forgiven a poor run latest when presumably found wanting for stamina and there is also a question mark about the ground. Similar doubts are harboured about the hat-trick seeking Share Option and Cocacobana appeals as a more likely each-way option, remaining open to progress and proven on the terrain.
Quinte du Chatelet (FR) 7-2fav (11-7) Made all, clear after 2 out, easily, won at Hereford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Jan beating Beta Blocker (10-12) by 10l, 9 ran.
Painter Man (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon clear, 18 lengths ahead when mistake last, ridden out, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan beating Outside The Box (11-8) by 9l, 11 ran.
What A Warrior (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, outpaced 7th, went well held 4th 3 out, 4th of 13, 31l behind Native Gallery (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
Spirit D'armor (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Chased leaders until hit 3rd and lost place, steady headway before 6th, led after 3 out, clear when hit last, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f NH Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-105) (4yo+) (4) sft in Jan beating Saves Time (11-9) by 4l, 8 ran.
Matako (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Held up towards rear, hit 8th, close up on outside next, outpaced 4 out, ridden next, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Night Alliance (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) gd in Dec.
Calico Rose 5-1 (10-2) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened flat, 10th of 11, 14l behind Fox Appeal (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Share Option 12-1 (10-10) Held up, headway approaching normal 4 out, chased leader next, ridden bypassing ommited 2 out, switched left after last, stayed on to lead close home, won at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jan beating Ajzal (11-6) by hd, 6 ran.
Flying Award (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway 8th, mistake next, weakened after 3 out, left 4th when hampered next, 4th of 16, 27l behind Thehillofuisneach (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Cocacobana (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Held up, headway after 3rd, ridden on long run to last, soon held by front pair, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Achimota (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
Armedanddangerous (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Held up in mid-division, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 9, 43l behind Mountainous (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Timetoring 13-2 (10-1) Chased leaders, hit 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 5th of 8, 47l behind Ben's Folly (11-7) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
Winchester Red 66-1 (10-4) Bolted before start, tracked leaders, saddle soon slipped, not fluent 2nd, lost place 4th, pulled up approaching 5th, in a race won by Diamond Mm (10-10) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul, 12 ran.
Old Magic (IRE) 4-1fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on, no impression, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Total Rebellion (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Just Tootsie 8-1 (10-7) In touch, blundered 4th and soon lost ground, unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Goring One (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Mar, 5 ran.
Vivarini 16-1 (11-10) Towards rear, plugged on under pressure on inside after 3 out, went modest 5th approaching next, no impression between last 2, 5th of 12, 6l behind Well Green (11-2) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Jan.
