Rookery Lad gets a narrow vote over Lucky Sinna, Joe Mchugh and Patriarch in a wide-open handicap chase. Plenty can be given a chance here, especially Rookery Lad, a most consistent sort who ran very well in defeat at Fakenham last time. He was attempting to give lumps of weight to Sconced that day but was collared on the run to the line and beaten less than two lengths. He has plenty of weight today as well but will not go down without a fight. Lucky Sinna plugged on well when headed at Hereford on his last engagement and this step up in trip should help his cause, while Joe Mchugh got going too late behind Stavordale Lad at Leicester, staying on into second. This easier track will suit him better and he is another to consider along with Patriarch. The latter is not the force of old but ran fairly well in defeat behind the progressive Nykel at the last meeting here so merits a mention, as does Wild Oats who was not too far behind Even More at Taunton. All in all this has the makings of a close-knit contest, with the finger pointing to Rookery Lad.
Scotch Corner (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Mid-division, jumped slowly and lost place 6th, soon behind, 7th of 11, well behind Jack Fuller (10-9) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Rookery Lad 3-1fav (11-12) In touch, led 6th, clear 3 out, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Sconced (10-5) at Fakenham 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jan.
Wild Oats 16-1 (10-5) Held up in mid-division, ridden, headway after 4 out, challenged approaching 2 out, no extra from last, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Even More (11-6) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Sungates (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Soon in touch, mistake 11th, weakened 16th, 6th of 11, 31l behind Calvic (11-8) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Wee William 20-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, effort 4 out, never on terms, 5th of 13, 30l behind King's Bounty (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
Patriarch (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 8th, mistake 10th, staying on when hampered 2 out, 4th of 10, 17l behind Nykel (10-5) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Lucky Sinna (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Led after 1st, headed approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Baron Blitzkrieg (10-1) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Joe Mchugh (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 8th, hit 13th, went 2nd next, pushed along approaching last, one pace last, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Stavordale Lad (11-0) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gd in Feb.
