An open novices' hurdle can go to That Look, with Sundarbob, Speed Winner and Bauhaus just three others in with a chance. None of the candidates appear to be world-beaters, however the selection has won two of his four starts over hurdles and looks one on the upgrade. He steps up in trip today which should benefit him given his battling performance last time out. Sundarbob hasn't built on his promising bumper runs of last year, however he has the ability to go well at a big price if putting it all in. Knightsbridge Hill represents a powerful and in-from stable but certainly doesn't look to be anything special, whilst Speed Winner ran well in two races at Fontwell in November and December so has place claims at least today. Bauhaus steps up in trip today and the booking of Richard Johnson is eye-catching, however we will tentatively return to the in-form That Look to land the spoils.
Speed Winner (AUS) 50-1 (11-0) Held up, hit 1st, held up in 5th, plugged on one pace, no chance from 3 out, 4th of 8, 42l behind De Soto (11-8) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Bauhaus (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 6th of 12, 20l behind Star Double (11-5) at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Supreme Copper (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up , steady headway to track leading pair 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 28l behind Shardakhan (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Yufo (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 7th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd next but no chance with winner, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 16, 23l behind Best Actor (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Knightsbridge Hill (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, ridden 6th, kept on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 8, 21l behind Portland Bill (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 4th, join leader next, ridden after 11th, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 14, well behind Minella Tipperary (11-6) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Ortega (FR) 11-2 (10-13) Held up, not fluent 5th, headway 7th, ridden and kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Albertas Run (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Akash (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, weakened 2 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mount Benger (10-13) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Edgar Wilde (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leader and raced wide throughout, led 7th, headed 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 12, 24l behind Basic Fact (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Sundarbob (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, chased leaders 3 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 26l behind Bradley Boy (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Dad Says Heazle 25-1 (11-4) Led, headed 3rd, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 15, 13l behind Khasab (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Shernatra (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Led 2nd, soon clear, mistake 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon headed and weakened, 5th of 9, 32l behind Helm (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Flying Forme (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 16, well behind Celtic Major (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
Aubigny (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 13th of 16, 40l behind Femme D'avril (9-13) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Earnest (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Minella Tipperary (11-6) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
Check Up (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division until after 7th, soon behind, 9th of 16, well behind Best Actor (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Iron Maid 10-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden approaching 9th, soon weakened, 8th of 14, well behind Classic Fair (11-2) at Taunton 3m mrs mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
That Look 8-13fav (11-5) Led to 1st, close up until ridden to lead approaching 2 out, hard ridden under pressure from last, just held on, won at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) frm in Oct beating Katies Tuitor (10-12) by a nk, 7 ran.
