Thistle Do Nicely has found life tough since recording a double in the autumn but now switches to handicaps. But ERICK LE ROUGE has been in terrific form and, with Chester Williams again taking off 7lb, a four-timer is not out of the question. Not That Fuisse won over this trip at Taunton after a couple of commendable efforts in hot handicaps at Cheltenham so can’t be ignored while the former Willie Mullins’ inmate Townshend is worth a market check following wind surgery. Master Blueyes was a smart juvenile but will surely need this with Misterton also lacking a recent run.
Master Blueyes (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, outpaced after 2 out, ridden and stayed on to chase leaders between last 2, lost place and weakening when mistake last, 10th of 15, 19 1/2l behind Defi Du Seuil (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gd in Mar.
Misterton 20-1 (11-6) Led until 4th, chased leader until before 3 out, chased leaders, weakened between last 2, 9th of 24, 26 1/4l behind Kalashnikov (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) sft in Feb.
Malaya (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along and weakening when fell 2 out, at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Erick Le Rouge (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Close up, led after 6th, ridden 2 out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Mellow Ben (10-11) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Thistle Do Nicely (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Chased leaders, close 2nd 4 out until led before 2 out, soon headed, kept on same pace, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 13, 19l behind Elusive Belle (10-9) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gd in Jan.
Not That Fuisse (FR) 13-8fav (10-12) Tracked leading pair and travelled well, switched left before 2 out, led approaching last, soon joined, ran on to assert last 100 yards, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Jan beating Style De Garde (11-11) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Townshend (GER) 10-1 (10-8) Led and soon joined, headed before 2 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 12, 15l behind Coeur Blimey (10-5) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Casa Tall (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Raced keenly chasing leaders, not much room 4 out, pushed along and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 7, 24 1/4l behind The Twisler (10-9) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jan.