RAY MOND showed much-improved form last time out and a repeat of that will easily be enough off the same mark. Sailor's Sovereign and Gift Of The Gods look the two to give him most to do. David Bass gave the selection a fantastic ride last time out at Southwell and dominated his rivals from the front. He is able to race off the same mark of 73 this afternoon and if in the same mood he should be hard to peg back. Free To Air has been tumbling down the handicap but for good reason, and a bigger threat looks to be Gift Of The Gods who ran well behind Ponchatrain last time out. Quartz Du Montceau is hit and miss but would be quite interesting if turned out after being outclassed yesterday at Plumpton. Sailor's Sovereign holds Alderbrook Girl and Bob's Temptation on a run behind Woodlands Genpoer at Towcester. However, the vote of confidence is given to Ray Mond.
Quartz Du Montceau (FR) 4-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden 10th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Shaking Hands (11-3) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy, 8 ran.
Gift Of The Gods (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along 5th, headway 7th, challenged 11th, led 4 out, headed last, stayed on, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind PonchaTrain (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp ch 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Free To Air 33-1 (10-11) Held up, pushed along approaching 4th, struggling after 6th, stayed on past beaten horses closing stages, never dangerous, 4th of 10, 28l behind French Leave (10-4) at Exeter 2m 3f cond nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Dec.
Ray Mond 4-1 (10-4) Made all, clear 4 out, mistake 2 out, unchallenged, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp ch 0-95 (5) sft beating Noble Bily (11-12) by 21l, 10 ran.
Sailor's Sovereign 16-1 (10-1) In touch 2nd, left 2nd when hampered 3 out, every chance last, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Woodlands Genpower (11-8) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.
Alderbrook Girl (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) In rear, not fluent 9th, always behind, 7th of 12, 25l behind Woodlands Genpower (11-8) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.
Bob's Temptation 25-1 (9-11) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 11th, in a race won by Caspar Of Tarsus (11-6) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs, 15 ran.
One Step Closer (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Jumped right, promiment, led after 6th until 8th, weakened after 10th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Brushford (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft, 7 ran.
