Mondello was only beaten a short-head at Wincanton last week when a couple of pounds out of the handicap. Racing off his correct mark here, he must take all the beating with Harry Cobden taking off a further 3lb. But we just prefer MUTHABIR, who produced another good run at Kempton after winning here last month and is reunited with Richard Johnson. Awesome Rosie was only beaten a length at Doncaster last month but is 3lb higher while Aliandy has gone up 4lb since a similar effort at the same track. Chic Theatre was raised 5lb after winning at Market Rasen early last month and Bank Bonus for finishing second at Catterick.
Chic Theatre (IRE) 6-5fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Crookstown (11-11) by 3l, 9 ran.
Awesome Rosie 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, on inside, travelling well before 3 out, 2nd before next, ridden to challenge approaching last, no extra and held final 100 yards, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Graceful Legend (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Ossie's Dancer 66-1 (11-10) Mid-division, lost place 4 out, behind from next, soon pulled up, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Krugermac (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Took keen hold, held up in last trio, weakened into last pair when mistake 3 out, 8th of 9, 31l behind Maestro Royal (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Bank Bonus 9-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 3 out, led before next, ridden and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Italian Riviera (11-10) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
McKenzie's Friend (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, 10th of 17, dist behind Shantou Bob (11-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Aliandy (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Led at start, took keen hold, held up in rear, steady headway on outside before 3 out, went 2nd approaching next where mistake, ridden edging left between last 2, kept on run-in, strong challenge close home, just failed, 2nd of 10, shd behind Midnight Cowboy (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Muthabir (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside tracking leaders before 3 out, ridden beteween last two, plugged on same pace run-in, 6th of 15, 6 1/4l behind Doesyourdogbite (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Bodyswerve (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased clear leaders after 4 out, went remote 4th after next, never a threat, 4th of 13, 36 1/2l behind Kayf Grace (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Spyder 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders and keen, tracked leader 2nd until 7th, chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Dalaki (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f (5) gd in Dec.
Tipperairy (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Held up in rear, mistake 6th, soon pushed along, tailed off 3 out, 8th of 10, dist behind King Cool (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
Mondello (GER) 25-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, headway when not clear run before 2 out, led approaching last, hard pressed, headed close home, 2nd of 9, shd behind Chase End Charlie (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
