Not a race to get heavily involved in and one where the suggestion is VALICK, though he may not represent much value for what he has shown so far, while Backfromthecongo and Nodanawink are others with claims. The Paul Nicholls-trained selection was unfancied and ran moderately on his British debut at Chepstow on heavy ground over Christmas. He is proven over this trip in Irish points, where he won one of his seven starts, and it would be most unlike his trainer to take on a newcomer without the potential to be better than the opposition that lines-up here. Cut in the ground suits and with the scope for plenty of improvement to come for that debut we will tentatively go with him. Backfromthecongo appears to go better on a sound surface, as evidenced by his maiden chase third here in December. He has put in a couple of respectable recent efforts and in this lowly grade merits respect. Nodanawink showed some promise in points before finishing just outside the frame in a fast ground Worcester bumper last June. The Donald McCain yard is in such good form this season that it is likely that the seven-year-old can show up well today. Kumbu was rated better than plenty of these over hurdles, so a reproduction of those abilities in this sphere would see him bang there, and although he has never won with cut in the ground he does handle it. Even so, Valick has room for any amount of improvement and is selected on potential in an open race.
Backfromthecongo (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, led 3rd, headed 4 out, still every chance 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Morning Moment (11-2) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gf in Dec.
Finlay 16-1 (11-2) In touch, weakened 3 out, 10th of 18, well behind Rebeccas Choice (11-1) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Khumbu 16-1 (11-12) Behind, ridden 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 4th of 16, 13l behind Stoop To Conquer (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Prof de L'Isle (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Led to 3rd, with leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 19l behind Morning Moment (11-2) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gf in Dec.
Valick (FR) 18-1 (11-0) Keen hold early, held up in rear, pulled 4th when jumped right 12th, left poor 3rd 4 out, tailed off when blundered next, 3rd of 6, well behind Mark The Book (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Dec.
Wherrimon 150-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 6, 19l behind Massasoit (11-0) at Fakenham 3m beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
Nodanawink 9-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, ridden 5f out, weakened 3f out, 4th of 11, 27l behind Danimix (10-7) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gf in Jun.
Omix D'or (FR) 28-1 (10-7) In touch, lost place 6th, headway 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 14, 18l behind Dan Buoy (10-12) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
