Some interesting sorts here in what could be a competitive affair and BALLYOLIVER is taken to atone for a fall at Southwell last time. He had previously scored at Warwick when looking a typically progressive Venetia Williams chaser and is well worth another chance. Randjo looks the sort to come good in time but the ground is a concern and he seems to receive no respite at all from the handicapper at present, likewise Rimini who continues to be penalised for his consistency despite not actually getting his head in front. Douryna ran into a well-handicapped sort in Niceonefrankie at Hereford last time and merits respect, whilst Wood Yer has obvious claims after landing his first two chasing contests and rates the leading threat to the selection.
Nozic (FR) 28-1 (9-9) Towards rear, headway 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 14, 36l behind Quincy Des Pictons (9-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs (2) hvy in Dec.
Rimini (FR) 7-2 (10-2) Tracked leaders, mostly chased winner from 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure, held flat, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Mountainous (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Wood Yer (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, rallied from 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead close home, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec beating Space Mission (10-3) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Francis Du Mesnil (FR) 40-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, pecked 1st, headway approaching 11th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 14, 47l behind Hunt Ball (10-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
Ballyoliver 7-1 (11-7) In touch, fell 2nd, in a race won by Corkage (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan, 9 ran.
Douryna 9-2 (10-9) Held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, hit 6th, led when jumped right and bumped 2 out, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Niceonefrankie (10-10) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Jan.
Federstar (GER) 15-2 (11-7) Held up, mistake 5th, hit 8th, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Notabotheronme (10-0) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Jan, 6 ran.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Chased leading trio until dropped to rear before 6th, never going after, plugged on to take poor 4th closing stages, 4th of 6, 19l behind Overnight Fame (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Randjo (FR) 5-2fav (11-5) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, hit 7th, blundered and unseated rider 11th, in a race won by Mylord Collonges (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 5f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Lupita (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Held up, headway 4th, pecked 9th, last next, lost touch approaching 5 out, went modest 3rd latter stages, 3rd of 6, 38l behind Cristal Bonus (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chase (4) hvy in Jan.
