JUST SMUDGE has a rise in the weights to contend with but Venetia Williams' gelding is hard to oppose; place backers may want to side with one of Penn Da Benn, Balthazar King or Cannon Fire. The selection bids for a hat-trick here after bloodless wins at Ludlow and Doncaster. Both wins have come on soft ground so conditions should hold no fears and this progressive Novice is fancied to make the most of his return to hurdles as he is rated 5lbs lower in this sphere than over fences. Irish Legend is a course and distance winner and Craig Roberts' gelding take a drop in class today and he certainly hasn't been disgraced in two recent runs in better company. Winged D'Argent represents local connections and any market move would be interesting, whilst Cannon Fire was a good winner on his penultimate start but was then put in his place when upped in class next time out. Penn Da Benn was a comfortable winner on New Year's Day at Exeter and he has plenty of potential, however the handicapper's hand was forced and he now has a 10lb higher mark to race off. Balthazar King certainly cannot be overlooked with his form looking solid; he has only had two runs over hurdles and is one of these horses who the handicapper has been supposedly able to assess after just two runs. A good-looking handicap, but the talented chaser Just Smudge can bring up the treble.
Irish Legend (IRE) 18-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 9th of 18, 25l behind Lough Derg (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gs.
Qulinton (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leader, led 6th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 15th of 19, well behind Punchestowns (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Penn Da Benn (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Held up behind, headway approaching 3 out, led on bit 2 out, shaken up last, pushed out, readily, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Wychwoods Legend (11-5) by 6l, 8 ran.
Balthazar King (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on without threatening, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Missoula (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Hivikos (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, challenged 4 out, weakened from next, 5th of 9, 11l behind Pressgang (11-12) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Dec.
Just Smudge 7-4fav (12-1) Prominent, led after 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating Supreme's Legacy (11-3) by 7l, 15 ran.
Petito (IRE) 7-2 (10-5) Led, headed after 4 out, weakening when fell 2 out in race won by Shore Thing (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul, 12 ran.
Quail (FR) 7-2 (10-7) Prominent, blundered 6th, weakening when mistake 2 out, 5th of 13, 29l behind Cape Tribulation (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Winged d'Argent (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) In touch, frequent reminders, hit 3rd, ridden after next, went 4th approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 16, 35l behind Belcantista (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Cannon Fire (FR) 12-1 (10-3) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 8th of 12, 27l behind Maktu (10-9) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl (2) sft.
Over The Flow 9-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway after 6th, chased leaders, hit 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Manmoon (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
