A fiendishly competitive affair in which SPANISH CONQUEST is given a chance to redeem himself at the principal expense of Issaquah and Zanir. Phillip Hobbs' charge does have to race from 2lb out of the handicap though connections can have no beef about the conditions as they should be exactly to his liking this afternoon. Issaquah is a likeable mare who seldom runs a bad race. She does not handle heavy ground so we can safely overlook that recent Cheltenham effort and with the likelihood of a strongly run race, she is likely to be making ground on the front runners as they swing for home. Zanir has been thumped to the tune of 11lb by the handicapper for an emphatic success at Leicester and will find it tough to follow up. Treaty Flyer has been a credit to Alison Thorpe over the calendar year though her run in a valuable mare¿s race at Wetherby has to go down as something of a disappointment. Arcalis and My Petra have both had experience of racing in much better grade than this in the past. Their form figures tell the tale so the market will give us a clue as to whether a renaissance is anticipated by connections. Peter Monteith's runners in big handicaps are invariably underestimated so Los Nadis is worthy of respect at longer odds. The prevailing fast ground offers plenty of hope for a big run. Saticon and Sir Harry Ormesher are surprise participants from the Alan King yard. Palomar had some smart form on fast ground for Roger Charlton prior to joining Nicky Richards so he should not be discounted. Divers drops in trip and his light weight will require Graham Lee to be retreating to the sauna to do the weight. Spanish Conquest can send his rivals into submission.
Arcalis 20-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 8th, headway and hung left after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 22, 19l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
My Petra 16-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, hit 7th, blundered 9th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Tranquil Sea (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov, 16 ran.
Treaty Flyer (IRE) 4-1fav (10-12) With leaders, outpaced when hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 23l behind Santia (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Saticon 8-1 (10-12) Led, raced keenly, headed when hit 2 out, weakened approaching last, last of 5, 23l behind Starluck (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hdl (2) gf in Oct.
Is It Me (USA) 14-1 (11-1) Led to 2nd, chased winner, jumped left 4th and 5th, lost 2nd approaching 4 out, regained that position 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 12l behind First Point (11-1) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Sir Harry Ormesher 11-2 (11-6) Jumped left, held up in last, mistake 3rd, went 3rd after 4 out, left 2nd 3 out, beaten 2 out, fell last, in a race won by Duc De Regniere (11-2) at Kempton 2m 4f grad ch (2) gd in Nov, 4 ran.
Issaquah (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and dropped rear after 5th, 13th of 15, 34l behind Khyber Kim (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Zanir (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, led 3 out, soon clear, won at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov beating Pickamus (11-2) by 6l, 11 ran.
Hector's Choice (FR) 15-8fav (11-2) Tracked leader, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 5, 30l behind Trafalgar Road (11-3) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Los Nadis (GER) 8-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, ridden 2 out, headed last, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Mesbaah (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Norma Hill 6-1 (11-11) Led, hard pressed when hit 2 out, soon headed, no extra last, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Rockiteer (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Palomar (USA) 13-2 (10-10) Held up in rear, ridden and outpaced 8th, never on terms, 7th of 9, 21l behind Albanov (10-4) at Kelso 2m 1f Ltd hcp chs (2) gs in Nov.
Benfleet Boy 16-1 (10-10) Led early, remained close up weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Fairyland (10-8) at Newbury 2m listed hcp hdl 0-145 (1) gs in Nov.
Honest John 7-2 (11-2) Led, hit 7th, driven and headed after 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 7, 16l behind Overstrand (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Wessex King (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Pulled hard, held up towards rear, ridden and no headway after 3 out, 9th of 12, 17l behind Dani's Girl (9-9) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Divers (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, no impression from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Echo Point (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Spanish Conquest 9-2fav (10-13) Always prominent, raced keenly, led after 7th, hit 2 out, not fluent and headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind I Hear A Symphony (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
