lestown scored over track and trip in October but has failed to figure in four subsequent starts. BERTIE'S DESIRE has gone close the last twice including when runner-up to the progressive Arkaim over these fences last month. Today's longer trip can see Oliver Sherwood's charge off the mark. Crystal Swing is rated higher over hurdles than most of these and could figure if taking to the larger obstacles and the same goes for Rasheed, also entered at Market Rasen, on his chasing bow. Guanciale ran well for a long way at Lingfield on his debut over fences but has also has an entry at Towcester.
Rasheed 11-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, went 2nd closing stages, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind King Zeal (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
No Duffer 9-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, lost place 4th, behind from 6th, tailed off and pulled up 11th, in a race won by Alpancho (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Crystal Swing 9-1 (11-12) Held up in last, ridden after 7th, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd before next, no impression, one pace, 3rd of 10, 17l behind My Oh Mount Brown (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Riddlestown (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up in last pair, ridden along 10th, went 4th 3 out, ran on flat, never nearer, 4th of 7, 10l behind Mistral Reine (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Shady Lane 8-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, soon in touch on inside, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, 6th and struggling when mistake 2 out, 6th of 14, 18l behind Swinging Hawk (10-11) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Guanciale 5-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, jumped right 5th, hampered after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra last, last of 6, 12l behind Young Hurricane (11-12) at Lingfield 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
Bertie's Desire 3-1 (10-10) Led until 1st, prominent, jumped right and hit 6th, mistake 8th, outpaced 4 out, rallied last, stayed on, 4th of 5, 1 3/4l behind The Last Night (11-8) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Carhue Princess (IRE) 7-2fav (10-13) Prominent, not fluent 6th, led next, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 12, 19l behind Mini Muck (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) gs.
