ISSAQUAH is a mare going places and can take her latest hike in her stride. Marcel has enough class to merit a second look wherever he runs whilst Bywell Beau could also figure. The selection has made rapid strides in winning her two starts this season and the handicapper has been impressed enough to dish out rises totalling 28lbs. Tartan Snow has a handy swing at the weights for his seven length defeat in November but his challenge was brushed aside on that occasion and we fancy Issaquah to put him in his place again. Bywell Beau has a fabulous track record and the decision to return to hurdling is a prudent one as he looked far from natural over fences. He's well enough treated to be a leading player. Marcel has a decent strike rate over hurdles but has a slightly tarnished reputation due to a rather in and out career. That reputation is justified and he may not relish this ground despite having won under testing conditions in the past. Conditions are no problem for Pagan Starprincess or Dunaskin and the latter, in particular, looks poised to run a big race but he may find one too good in the progressive Issaquah.
Kings Quay 13-2 (11-4) Held up and not fluent, never dangerous, 7th of 10, well behind Palomar (11-4) at Catterick 2m nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Bywell Beau (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Soon led, mistake 4th, headed 5 out, soon driven and beaten, 6th of 11, 13l behind Role On (10-13) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) hvy in Nov.
Marcel (FR) 6-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, hit 5th, went 2nd 6 out, led 3 out, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr beating Andreas (11-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
Issaquah (IRE) 2-1fav (10-10) Always prominent, led on bit 4 out, clear approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec beating Rich Lord (11-7) by 4l, 12 ran.
Pagan Starprincess 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway to chase leader when left in lead 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec beating Pay Attention (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Freeloader (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 15l behind Ingratitude (11-9) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Dec.
Los Nadis (GER) 7-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, led after 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 9, 29l behind Charlie Crab (11-3) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Tartan Snow 4-1jt-fav (10-11) Led to 5th, close up, led again 4 out, ridden when pulled up 2 out in race won by Pagan Starprincess (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Pertemps Networks 8-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Khachaturian (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
King Daniel 25-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, weakened after 5 out, 12th of 14, well behind Medicinal (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Sa Suffit (FR) (10-6) Held up, joined leaders 4 out, no impression on winner close home, 2nd of 11, 4l behind L'elu (10-4) at Pau 2m 1f NH flat in Dec '06.
Dunaskin (IRE) 2-1fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, hit 5th, 4 lengths 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Princess Flame (10-10) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Culcabock (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) In touch and keen, led approaching last, ran on, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec beating I Have Dreamed (11-3) by 2l, 17 ran.
