This sharp track should suit the headstrong Brandon Castle, who is two from two over hurdles. But he faces no easy task conceding weight all round and POTTERS MIDNIGHT is preferred. Lucy Wadham’s charge was returning from a lay-off when beating good yardstick Clayton at Lingfield and can defy a 7lb rise if this doesn’t come too soon. My Brother has been knocking on the door in handicaps but probably needs to drop a few pounds. Atlantic Storm and Eskendash aren’t out of this either.
Brandon Castle 10-11fav (11-11) Raced freely, led and soon clear, given breather 5th, pushed clear again before 2 out, kept on strongly, not fluent last, unchallenged, won at Plumpton 2m (4) gs in Jan beating Baddesley Prince (11-5) by 6l, 12 ran.
Potters Midnight 7-1 (11-11) In touch, chased leaders after 2nd, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan beating Clayton (11-11) by 2l, 9 ran.
Eskendash (USA) 7-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, led before 2 out, mistake last, soon headed, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind William H Bonney (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
My Brother (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, blundered 4 out, headway on outside chasing leaders when mistake last, kept on run-in, went never nearer 4th close home, 4th of 12, 6 3/4l behind Not Never (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Atlantic Storm (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, ridden 3 out, headway last, ran on flat, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Larch Hill (11-6) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
