Today's longer trip should prove no problem for GRANDIOSO given his easy win over 2m4f in soft ground at Ludlow last week. Paul Nicholls' charge can shrug off a penalty and go in again. Howard's Legacy bounced back with a much better effort at Wincanton last month when finding only Opening Batsman too good and he should go well while Night Force has shown some promise over fences, though he's facing a stiffer task here. The Musical Guy disappointed in heavy ground over these fences last time and the suspicion that he needs fast going to show his best remains.
Grandioso (IRE) 7-4fav (11-11) Chased leaders, not fluent 12th, led 4 out, clear 2 out, easily, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft beating Cadoudalas (11-1) by 37l, 8 ran.
Howard's Legacy (IRE) 3-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent 9th (water), went 2nd before 3 out, ridden 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Opening Batsman (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 5f Novice Handicap Chase (0-140) (5yo+) (3) sft in Jan.
The Musical Guy (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 11th, mistake next, blundered 2 out, soon beaten, mistake last, weakened flat, 5th of 6, 20l behind Safran De Cotte (10-11) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs 0-125 (4) hvy in Jan.
Night Force 7-2 (11-0) Held up, headway to chase leaders 8th, blundered badly 11th, recovered and went 3rd at 13th, not fluent 4 out, chased winner 3 out, challenged and every chance when hit last, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Listen Boy (11-0) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (4) hvy in Dec.
