AYEMDEE can reel off a quickfire hat-trick by getting the better of the likes of More The Merrier and Me Julie. The selection has been well placed by connections as he avoids a penalty for his win at Towcester where he won with any amount in hand. The fact that this is his third quick run is a cause for minor concern and this is a significantly stronger race but he's ahead of the game at present. More The Merrier has been harshly dealt with by the handicapper as he's 9lbs higher having finished second on his chase bow. He'll need to improve again in order to open his account and connections have reached for the cheekpieces. Qualypso D'Allier was in the process of running a big race at Towcester when hampered but the yard failed to hit the target in November so he's hard to recommend. King Stanley and Billybo are having their first outings over fences whilst Incentivise is also unexposed. Jackie Boy certainly isn't but has a decent strike rate whilst Me Julie won well at Ffos Las and can't be ignored. Colonial Jim was due to race on Thursday so it remains to be seen if he takes his chance but he has an obvious chance if lining up in a competitive race where Ayemdee is preferred.
More The Merrier (IRE) 2-1fav (10-13) Close up, mistake 5 out, every chance last when not fluent, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Fortification (10-9) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Qualypso D'allier (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 6th, challenged 11th, led 4 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, 1 length down when very badly hampered, jockey no chance and unseated rider last, in a race won by Wide Receiver (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
King Stanley (IRE) 80-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, lost place from 6th, 8th of 15, 33l behind Dreamy Sweeney (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Billybo 100-1 (10-13) Mid-division, weakened from 7th, tailed off from 3 out, 14th of 15, well behind Dreamy Sweeney (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Jackie Boy (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up, headway to track leaders after 13th, chased winner 15th to after 3 out, rallied to regain 2nd run-in but no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Ray Mond (9-11) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Whatcanisay 20-1 (11-0) In rear, struggling after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Far More Serious (11-12) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov, 14 ran.
Incentivise (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) In rear, stayed on through beaten horses 5 out, 4th of 10, 11l behind Mr Big (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Me Julie 7-1 (9-12) Mostly jumped soundly, made all, stayed on strongly from 3 out, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f Mares Handicap Chase (0-115) (4yo+) (4) sft in Nov beating Rosie All Over (11-0) by 6l, 6 ran.
Ayemdee (IRE) 7-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 5th, hit 9th, led approaching last, kept on, won at Towcester 2m 6f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) hvy in Nov beating Cartier Opera (11-1) by 5l, 5 ran.
Colonial Jim (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Led to 8th, with leader, led 10th, blundered 12th, not fluent and joined 2 out, headed last, stayed challenging, held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Ayemdee (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) hvy in Nov.
Well Mick (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 8th, challenge 12th, weakened well before last, 4th of 6, well behind Portrait Royale (10-13) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp 0-90 (5) gs in Nov.
Tanktastic 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 9th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 17, well behind Dew Drop Inn (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gd in Nov.
Sailor's Sovereign 14-1 (10-2) Held up, outpaced 4 out, stayed on approaching last, went 4th flat, never dangerous, 4th of 9, 14l behind Mr Ironman (10-0) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
