Toby Lerone won at Southwell and Lingfield in November but may be in the handicapper's grip now. Henry King continues to climb the weights, despite not winning, but Tony Dinozzo has claims as he was clear when crumpling on landing having jumped the last at Fakenham last week. Spanish Arch won over a similar trip at Market Rasen on Boxing Day but Pistol may need more time, though isn't badly treated on his hurdles form. GOODTOKNOW had been knocking on the door prior to winning by 10 lengths on heavy ground at Bangor. The going is in his favour again and Richard Lee's improving six-year-old can defy an 11lb higher mark as he still receives weight from Castle Conflict. What An Oscar may be short of confidence and is best watched until showing signs of a revival.
Castle Conflict (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th until 12th, chased leaders, weakened next, losing touch when blundered 4 out, jumped right after, tailed off and pulled up before last, in a race won by Saroque (10-8) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 6 ran.
Toby Lerone (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Led until 2nd, chased leader until 9th, led 11th until next, chased leaders, led again 4 out, joined 3 out, headed well before next, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 21l behind King Edmund (11-12) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Goodtoknow 5-2fav (11-0) Raced wide close up, joined leaders 13th, led 3 out, awkward next, ran on, won at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec beating Samurai Way (10-13) by 10l, 6 ran.
Henry King (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) With leader and clear of rest until before 6th, tracked leader, headway to lead 4 out, headed before last, ridden and no chance in clear 2nd flat, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Wychwoods Brook (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Spanish Arch (IRE) 11-4 (10-9) Tracked leader, left in lead at 3rd, hit 7th, hung left and headed briefly bend before next, joined 8th, ridden and asserted 2 out, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec beating Shockingtimes (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Pistol (IRE) 9-4 (10-9) Tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 5 out, went 3rd 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression from next, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Yesyoucan (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (4) sft.
What An Oscar (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leader when went left and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Roc D'apsis (11-3) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Dec, 8 ran.
Keltic Rhythm (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bygones Sovereign (10-8) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Tony Dinozzo (FR) 15-8fav (10-2) Chased leader, led approaching 2 out, about 2 lengths ahead when fell last, in a race won by Presented (10-5) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy, 6 ran.
My Silver Lilly 100-1 (10-10) Prominent, took keen hold, lost place 5th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Wintered Well (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
