A small field here set to face the starter, and it looks a tight contest between LAMANVER HOMERUN, Pop and Rustarix, and our support goes to the first named. The trio on the shortlist will all handle the ground, and although our selection may be a short price, a repeat of her penultimate run when bolting up in a similar contest could be sufficient to win this. She found it tougher last time in a handicap hurdle, but this looks her sort of race. It's hard to oppose Paul Nicholls' string at the moment, and she's got plenty in hand at the weights. Top weight Rustarix missed out on a hat-trick last time out, when moving back into handicap company. Cheltenham is a target for Alan King's runner. Pop could also be heading to the Festival, and returns to the trip at which his only chase success came. He's rarely out of the frame though, and is Henry Daly's only interest on the card. The price may not be great with it looking competitive between the likely top three in the betting, but we'll side with Lamanver Homerun.
Rustarix (FR) 4-1 (10-13) Badly hampered 1st, behind, headway from 6th, went 3rd 9th until 5 out, kept on same pace, regained 3rd run in, 3rd of 12, 14l behind Herecomesthetruth (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Pop (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, blundered badly 4 out, not fluent next, rallied after 2 out, not fluent last, soon weakened, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Kia Kaha (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
Muhtenbar 13-2 (11-0) Led until 5th, chased winner until 8th, mistake next, soon weakened, left 3rd 4 out, tailed off, 3rd of 6, well behind Tamadot (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Windinthewillows (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, weakened quickly and pulled up at the 6th in race won by Or Bleu (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nov chs (3) hvy, 5 ran.
Lamanver Homerun 7-2fav (10-13) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, chased winner after 3 out, ridden before next and weakened soon after, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Aimigayle (10-6) at Kempton 3m mrs hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Kerriemuir Lass (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leader to 11th, remained 3rd until weakened 3 out, well beaten when blundered last, 5th of 9, 26l behind Jaunty Flight (10-5) at Newbury 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) sft in Jan.
Pyleigh Lady 6-1 (10-5) Held up in 6th, ridden and no chance when fell 4 out in race won by Jaunty Flight (10-5) at Newbury 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
