A 7lb penalty is unlikely cause Femme D'Avril too many problems in this company and David Pipe's progressive mare is fancied to land her third success of the campaign - Jupon Vert, Milton Des Bieffes and Give Me Love are forwarded as dangers. Give Me Love showed ability for Paul Nicholls last season but has yet to strike for new yard. He has posted a couple of solid efforts of late but the drop to the minimum trip has to be a concern today. Milton Des Bieffes took advantage of the ground conditions to rack up a nice sequence at the start of the year. But has been below par in his last two outings. Further rain would bolster his claims - even though he looks weighted to the hilt this afternoon. Jupon Vert was too good for Orsus when they met at Folkestone in January and, although hard to win with, has to be a leading contender when the best of his form is taken into account. However, he has something to prove regarding the ground, so needs a little bit of luck on his side. Therefore, it can pay to side with the less exposed Femme D'Avril, whom Tony McCoy renews acquaintances with today. The five-year-old has numerous entries over the next few days and, as the Pipe team can be relied upon to know the time of day with a well-handicapped horse, this looks to be another good piece of placement by the masters at Pond House.
Alam (USA) 9-1 (11-8) Held up, progress approaching 6th, ridden 2 out, kept on to go 2nd flat, not trouble winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Syroco (11-9) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Jupon Vert (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, some headway 2 out, never on terms, 6th of 11, 7l behind Glimmer of Light (10-13) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
Give Me Love (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Pulled hard, held up, headway 4th, jumped slowly 6th, went 2nd 4 out, travelling well, effort by ommited last fence, not run on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Kercabellec (10-1) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Lonesome Man (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Led until headed 8th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 7th of 9, well behind Kercabellec (10-1) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Milton Des Bieffes (FR) 25-1 (11-9) Soon well behind, hampered 10th and pulled up in race won by Tradingup (10-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Feb, 12 ran.
Spike Jones (NZ) 11-2 (10-5) Towards rear, mistake 6th, hampered next, headway after 8th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 11, 27l behind Le Rochelais (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
William Butler (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden and weakened 4 out, 5th of 12, 42l behind Auntie Kathleen (10-8) at Haydock 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.
Orsus (FR) 7-1 (10-10) Led until approaching 4 out, soon ridden, every chance 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 11, 5l behind Glimmer of Light (10-13) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
Femme D'avril (FR) 13-8fav (10-12) Tracked leader from 3rd, led 4 out, clear 2 out, eased close home, won at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Feb beating Thievery (10-2) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Lusaka De Pembo (FR) 5-2 (11-3) Chased leadings, led approaching 3 out, headed flat, one pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Glen Thyne (11-0) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Feb.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Led, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 25l behind Rehearsal (11-4) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Jan.
