Closed Shop was a beaten favourite last time out but is taken to make amends here, with Moorlands Return and Turnberry Bay rating the main dangers. The last-named was disappointing last time out at Cheltenham in a decent race, although he obviously wasn't fancied that day as he went off at 100/1. His stable is in good form at present so he rates a danger. Assuming that he shows improved form today, and market the market speaks in his favour, he could easily play a hand. Moorlands Return has the most experience of these and he showed markedly improved form to go close at Warwich on New Years Eve on desperate ground so must enter calculations here. However he might struggle to match the selection, Phillip Hobbs' Closed Shop. He steps up in trip today and that looks ideal for a horse who looks to have a bright future, possibly over fences in time, but he could easily be good enough to go in today. Successful in a bumper last year, he has had a fair period to recover from his hurdling debut and is taken to improve on that, and win today.
Closed Shop (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Held up, headway 8th, hit 2 out, every chance last, hard ridden and ran on well flat, just failed, 2nd of 11, shd behind Cruising River (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Kathleens Pride (IRE) 4-5fav (12-0) Fell at the 2nd in race won by Rock Trooper (12-0) at Bredwardine 3m ptp gd in May, 11 ran.
Moorlands Return 11-4 (10-7) In touch, headway approaching 5th every chance from 2 out stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 15, nk behind Schuh Shine (11-7) at Warwick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Notin Hapened (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Always in rear, lost touch 7th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Christdalo (10-7) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Triggernometry 6-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 8th, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, switched left last, soon no chance with leaders, 3rd of 16, 13l behind Leading Attraction (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Turnberry Bay (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Held up, struggling halfway, some headway 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 13, 36l behind Tidal Bay (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) sft in Dec.
What A Scientist (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next, 8th of 16, 27l behind Barbers Shop (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Wine River (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, pushed along approaching 6th, weakened next and pulled up at the last in race won by Accordello (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov, 20 ran.
Fiesty Madam 100-1 (10-3) Always behind, struggling before 8th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Shower Of Hail (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn hdl (F) gd in Apr '05, 12 ran.
Marvellous Dream (FR) 8-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden to challenge 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 15, 6l behind Saratogane (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
