Monash Lad may be able to defy his huge weight and record back to back successes, Red Jester and Femme D'Avril are others to bear in mind. Monash Lad destroyed the opposition in a selling hurdle at Sedgefield to record a maiden success on just his second start for this yard. This race isn't a great deal more competitive and he can follow up. Red Jester chased home Alpha Gamble in a chase here last time to show his first signs of form; he has claims if he can translate that improvement to the smaller obstacles. Femme D'Avril has claims on the pick of her form and can be forgiven pulling up at Chepstow last time. Quick Judgement, Doctored, Hiddensee and Rock Star Appeal are all lightly raced and wouldn't need to improve too much on what they've shown to take a hand. They should be monitored in the market as should Martin House but Monash Lad has solid claims and is selected.
Monash Lad (IRE) 10-3fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 3 out, left clear next, driven and stayed on well, comfortably, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) hvy beating Goodnight Dick (11-12) by 19l, 12 ran.
Femme D'avril (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Towards rear when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Sporting Rebel (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy, 15 ran.
Quick Judgement (IRE) 200-1 (10-5) Always behind, 15th of 16, well behind One Gulp (11-1) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Canni Thinkaar (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Behind, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, never in contention, 5th of 11, well behind Roman Rampage (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan '07.
Hiddensee (USA) 100-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off from 4 out, 14th of 15, well behind Foxspur (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Doctored 100-1 (9-11) Mid-division until weakened 2 out, 5th of 16, 8l behind Najca De Thaix (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Wondersobright (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Led until 3rd, mistake next, remained prominent, hit 3 out, ridden to challenge next, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 30l behind Wild Ground (11-6) at Folkestone 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
Asaateel (IRE) 100-1 (9-10) Always behind, 10th of 11, well behind Scots Dragoon (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Tetragon (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Prominent in chasing group, weakened 4 out, 5th and struggling 3 out, well behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Young Owen (11-7) at Plumpton 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Rock Star Appeal 40-1 (11-0) Hampered 1st, mistake 3rd, lost touch after 5th, 7th of 12, 40l behind Popcorn Rosie (10-4) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Martin House (IRE) 12-1 (12-5) Held up in tch; went 2nd 14; ev ch 3 out; sn outpcd, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Springford (12-5) at Trebudannon 3m ptp gf in May '06.
Fair Dual (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Prominent, ridden after 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 8, 24l behind Princess of Spurs (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (5) gs in Jul.
Wujood 50-1 (10-0) Always behind, tailed off 7th, pulled up before 2 out pulled up in race won by Wild Tonto (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Mar, 18 ran.
Red Jester 22-1 (9-9) Always prominent, led after 9th, ridden after 3 out, headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Alpha Gamble (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 5f amt hcp chs (5) gs.
