Though Wood Pigeon is better over fences, the 10-year-old may prove the pick of Olly Murphy’s trio. Christian Williams has just the two runners and it is a bit of surprise that Rex Dingle has chosen Ffos Las second Cottonvale ahead of STRICTLYADANCER as the latter overcame a troubled passage to win over further here last time and is only 5lb higher.
Schap 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, ridden 2 out, weakening when not fluent last, last of 6, at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Wood Pigeon (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 9, 21 3/4l behind Arthur's Reuben (10-9) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Cottonvale (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) In touch, not fluent 6th, led after 3 out, headed when next, jumped left last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 15, 9l behind Briac (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Strictlyadancer (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Held up, headway and close up 7th, hampered 3 out, chased leader next, ridden to lead before omitted last, ran on, won at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jan beating Todd (11-11) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Taking A Chance (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 9, 19 3/4l behind The Crazed Moon (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
No Alarm (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) In touch, keen, tracked leader 5 out, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 13th of 15, dist behind Handy Hollow (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Kahaleesi 4-1 (11-3) Held up, always behind, struggling 4 out, pulled up next, at Stratford 2m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Indian Reel (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Held up, not fluent 6th, well beaten 3 out, mistake 2 out, 10th of 15, 33 3/4l behind Oliver's Island (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
