A large field goes to post for this handicap hurdle to open the card and from a shortlist of ALASAO, Wise Men Say and Ocarito we will side with Alasao. The selection wasn't beaten far last time when he chased home How's Business here. He has won on soft ground and this drop in trip will suit so he has plenty to recommend him. Wise Men Say could only plug-on at the one pace last time out and although he has been in good form of late, it looks as though the handicapper may now have his measure. Ocarito arrives here on the back of a couple of disappointing runs on the all-weather, but he went close when last seen out over hurdles when he chased home Spear Thistle and he will love these ground conditions. He is worth strong consideration, along with Sophist who has shown some promise in Ireland. A competitive start to the day and the vote is given to Alasao.
Sophist (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, 6th of 9, 37l behind Window Of Hope (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 7f beg chs gs in Sept.
Devito (FR) 5-1 (10-7) Chased leader, led 2nd to 6th, led again 7th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 14, 18l behind Celticello (11-3) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Alasao 5-1 (11-4) Soon prominent, chased winner 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 8, 26l behind How's Business (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Mr Newton (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Held up early, headway 6th, 3rd approaching 6 out, 6th 4 out, soon no extra and weakened, 19th of 24, well behind Sonnyanjoe (10-6) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl 0-130 gd in Apr '07.
Freddy's Star (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 5th of 10, 33l behind Darstardly Dick (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Illogical Hope (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 11th of 15, 36l behind Son of Flicka (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Temple Place (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, always in rear, 14th of 16, well behind Tender Falcon (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Mungo Jerry (GER) 20-1 (11-0) Soon well behind, struggling before 6th, 12th of 14, 22l behind Rosoff (10-9) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Popcorn Rosie 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, lost touch 4th, soon weakened, last of 6, well behind Private Be (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f Grad Ch (2) sft in Dec.
Wise Men Say (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 31l behind Hearty Dove (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Share My Dream (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Always towards rear, no impression, 7th of 15, 36l behind Dancewiththedevil (10-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Lupita (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Towards rear, ridden 6th and chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, 10th of 17, well behind Deep Pockets (11-7) at Exeter 2m 5f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Cavalry Twill (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 7th, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Nearly A Breeze (9-13) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Oct.
Mapledurham (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, behind 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Low Delta (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f amt hcp hdl (5) sft, 15 ran.
Royal Prodigy (USA) 16-1 (10-12) Struggling 5th, always in rear, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Sun Quest (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f sll hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Posh Emily 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, 7th of 18, 30l behind Gold Reef (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Ocarito (GER) 5-2fav (10-3) Held up and keen, headway 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, took 2nd last, one pace, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Spear Thistle (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
Bukhara (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Belcantista (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 16 ran.
Biscar Two (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Mid-division, steady headway 6th, ridden 4 out soon beaten, 7th of 16, well behind Nick's Choice (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Mar.
