Kilty Storm has a welter burden but still looks too good for the likes of Wee Anthony, Maclean and Buckland Gold. Carrying in excess of 12 stone in this ground over a near three mile journey is not what the doctor ordered, but Kilty Storm lines up in more form than most, having won two of his last three starts, at Newbury and Chepstow. The ex-Irish gelding absolutely bolted up at the Welsh track just four days ago, beating Keepers Mead by an easy 12 lengths, and although having to contend with a seven-pound penalty, it is hard to escape his claims, with trip and ground to suit. He meets nothing out of the ordinary here and should be up to the task. Wee Anthony would appear to be his main rival on the strength of a somewhat surprise first victory over hurdles at Lingfield 11 days ago. Richard Johnson rode him then but Tony McCoy takes over, and he can go well before having another crack at the bigger obstacles. Maclean hails from a stable in form right now but he has yet to recapture the sort of form that saw him beat Nippy Des Mottes at Fontwell last May. Buckland Gold has had problems with blood vessels in the past, but caught the eye when second here a fortnight ago, and if that was no fluke then he can reach the frame, while it is nice to see Lucy Bridges sending out a runner in Nero West, and we wish her a speedy recovery. On recent evidence, Kilty Storm has the form to go in again.
Kilty Storm (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 5th, led on bit approaching 3 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb beating Keepers Mead (11-7) by 12l, 10 ran.
Kings Castle (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden 4 out, stayed on, 5th of 20, 16l behind Material World (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Maclean 11-1 (11-7) Held up, effort 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 38l behind Candarli (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Wee Anthony (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Close up, led on inside before 2 out, soon in command, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb beating Supreme Piper (11-0) by 8l, 11 ran.
Nero West (FR) 11-2 (11-1) Never travelling in rear, tailed off and pulled up at the last in race won by Amanpuri (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Extra Smooth 6-1 (11-3) Held up behind, weakened from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Wild Chimes (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Feb, 14 ran.
Newtown 12-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next, went left at last, lost 4th flat, 5th of 7, 16l behind Amanpuri (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Feb.
Buckland Gold (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 3 out, chased winner well before last, one pace flat, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Yes My Lord (11-10) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Feb.
