In the penultimate race on the card is hard to looks past ROYAL HILARITY, so we won't while Ticket To Ride and Ballyvaden looked best placed to take advantage of any mishaps. The selection was an easy winner over distance at Folkstone last time and while as yet we don't know how strong that form will be the 15 length margin of success suggests that his subsequent 15lb rise in rating is not of too much concern. In addition the line from his penultimate start is rock solid and he looks well set here. Ticket To Ride is yet to win from 26 starts but is now finally down at a mark off which he can be competitive. The form from his latest third place has worked out pretty well with the contest providing a winner and placed horse and if, as expected, he has caught up with the handicapper then prize money beckons. Ballyvaden was running into form before parting company with his pilot last time out. It could be the case the handicapper is still just in charge with this one but a return to the form which saw him take a similar contest last February will have him close. Scaramouche is one from four over this trip and has a strong formline on his side while Massini Sunset is a course and distance winner and shouldn't be overlooked completely but Royal Hilarity looks the one.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 11-1 (10-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Le Burf (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs, 10 ran.
Scaramouche 12-1 (11-0) Led to 4th, led approaching 7th, ridden, headed approaching 3 out, jumped left, no chance after, 2nd of 4, 15l behind Lightning Strike (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Royal Hilarity (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, challenged 8th, hit next and 10th, led 3 out, well in command before next, eased run-in, won at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs beating Tosula (11-9) by 15l, 10 ran.
Cruising River (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden 11th, lost place next and pulled up 4 out in race won by Maori Legend (11-5) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs, 14 ran.
Salhood 8-1 (11-5) Held up, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 36l behind Mattaking (10-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Ballyvaden (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden and weakening when mistake and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Nearly A Breeze (10-1) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd, 11 ran.
Kercabellec (FR) 25-1 (10-9) Prominent, led 5th to 7th, close 2nd when blundered badly 4 out, rider lost irons and dropped rear, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Cybora (10-9) at Leicester 2m 4f chs 0-90 (5) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Ticket To Ride (FR) 3-1 (9-12) Held up, under pressure after 6th, some headway 3 out, never on terms, 3rd of 8, 23l behind Mattaking (10-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Fight The Feeling 12-1 (9-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, weakened approaching 10th, 5th of 15, 32l behind Jackella (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in May.
