My Petra can make experience count over Warsaw Pact, with Gracechurch and Capitalise others that can go well. My Petra was rated 80 at best on the level, and was successful once in 10 starts, but since being switched to hurdles, has been in terrific form, having won three of her four starts to date. Alan King's filly lost her unbeaten record at Kempton just after Christmas, finishing a well helf fourth to Poquelin, but meets nothing of that calibre here, and with conditions to suit, should make a bold bid to get back to winning ways. With Gracechurch and Capitalise bosting winning form but having a bit to find, her biggest danger may turn out to be Warsaw Pact who makes his debut over timber today. The ex-Sir Mark Prescott inmate was successful four times on the Flat and will have no problems on the stamina score. He will be better for this first outing since September, but is with a top yard and could still develop into a Cheltenham contender in time. On this occasion though, My Petra may have too much knowhow over the obstacles and is the pick.
Cheveley Flyer 20-1 (11-3) Behind from 4th, hit 2 out, some late progress, never troubled leaders, 7th of 12, 38l behind Katchit (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Capitalise (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Close up, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 4th of 13, 13l behind Altilhar (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Gracechurch (IRE) 5-6fav (10-11) Prominent in chasing group, closed to challenge last, soon led, driven out, won at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Cosmologist (11-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
My Petra 3-1 (11-1) Tracked leader to 4th, stayed in 3rd, went 2nd again before 3 out, weakened soon after 2 out, 4th and well beaten when blundered last, 4th of 13, 11l behind Poquelin (10-12) at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Impostor (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Not fluent, reminders after 1st, behind from 4th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Glinton (11-9) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
James Street (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 4l behind Dichoh (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec (Flat).
Opera Writer (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 16, 7l behind Impeccable Guest (9-12) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Warsaw Pact (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Soon tracked leaders, led 3f out, hung left and wide into straight, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 11, 4l behind Acrobatic (9-8) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Sept (Flat).
