Some Touch deserves to get his head in front having found one too good in each of his two starts this term and Howard Johnson's gelding may just do that with trip and ground conditions to suit, getting the verdict over Chaninbar and Polyphon. The last mentioned reverts to fences on a fair mark after two runs over hurdles this term and Peter Monteith's gelding has to be respected in receipt of weight all round. Don McCain's Original Fly has shown improved form over hurdles of late and is another that now makes the switch to the larger obstacles, while Mr Prickle is gradually slipping to a fair mark but needs to improve on recent form to trouble the judge. Chaninbar has yet to win a race and is difficult to weigh up on his debut in a handicap but could potentially be well treated. Plenty have chances but it is Some Touch that gets the vote to take the honours.
Some Touch (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) In touch, smooth headway to challenge leader when blundered 4 out, soon ridden and mistakes 3 out and 2 out and one pace after, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Shares (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Polar Gunner 13-2 (11-0) Held up, hit 3rd, headway 4th, weakened 3 out, behind when hampered 2 out, 5th of 11, 44l behind Lord Henry (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May '06.
Chery D'or (FR) 20-1 (11-6) Held up and mistakes, struggling and last place form 11th, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Silver Sedge (10-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May, 13 ran.
Ela Re 10-1 (11-5) Raced keenly and led, headed before 3 out, one pace from next, 5th of 15, 14l behind Slavonic Lake (10-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Mr Prickle (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, hit 6th, ridden approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Almaydan (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Original Fly (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led 7th, headed between last 2, soon weakened, 5th of 16, 13l behind Cryptic (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Chaninbar (FR) 9-2 (10-7) Held up, hit 6th, headway 4 out, effort when hampered 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Gardasee (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) hvy.
Polyphon (FR) 5-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 15, 40l behind Doctor David (11-9) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
