Monday Club has been running well in better races than this. He is still creeping up the weights but it will be a surprise if he’s not involved in the finish again. Another Theatre justified market support at Catterick and goes handicapping off a fair mark so is another to consider. Star of Rory was always prominent when second at Warwick and looks to be getting the hang of jumping but the interesting one is probably THE KNOT IS TIED. A four-times winner on the Flat, he is a headstrong sort but was only headed on the run-in at Wetherby earlier this month and will take some catching if getting loose out in front today.
Valse Au Taillons (FR) 50-1 (10-10) Jumped left at times, mid-division, headway before 3 out, challenged next, not much room and switched left before last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Evidence De Thaix (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Monday Club 5-1 (10-11) Behind, headway before 3 out, chased winner before last, always held, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Sussex Ranger (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Lookforarainbow 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not much room 4th, headway before 3 out, disputing 3rd last, weakened flat, 6th of 11, 11 1/2l behind Oakley (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Another Theatre (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2 out, driven to lead last, soon ridden, stayed on well towards finish, won at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Dec beating Foxtrot Juliet (11-4) by 3l, 11 ran.
Eceparti (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders after 4 out, ridden in 4th and no impression next, 4th of 11, 27l behind Dashel Drasher (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gs in Jan.
Khanisari (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 9th of 13, dist behind Here's Herbie (10-13) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Edabean (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Prominent, slow and reminders 1st, left in lead 3rd, soon headed, led again 5th, headed before 3 out, no extra flat, 5th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Oakley (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Dec.
The Knot Is Tied (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Led, jumped left 4th and 5th, driven when challenged 3 out, headed after last, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Lisheen Castle (11-0) at Wetherby 2m mdn (5) gs in Jan.
Star of Rory (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Prominent, hung left and led 2 out, headed last, hung left and no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Dyliev (11-1) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Cheeky Rascal (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Led, clear after 1st to before 4 out, ridden and headed before next, soon weakened, 8th of 11, dist behind Fanfan Du Seuil (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gs in Nov.
Zorlu (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Prominent, led 4th, headed before 6th, led again approaching 4 out, headed when blundered next, soon weakend, 13th of 16, dist behind Silver Quay (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Jan.