Polo The Mumm scored twice on quick going at Newton Abbot in the summer and though beaten there on his hat-trick attempt it was in a better contest than this. Richard Johnson was on board when BEAT THE TIDE landed a handicap hurdle at Market Rasen and though Tim Vaughan's charge ran moderately on his chasing debut he'll have come on plenty for the experience and gets the nod. The stable also run Bennachie, who has shown a glimmer of ability over the bigger obstacles while Better Days is another who should do better after an opening run over fences here where he was just beginning to back pedal when falling. Guanciale was having his 18th start over fences when gaining an easy victory over three rivals at Ffos Las but that was over the minimum and he's up 5lb and though Midnight Folie finished runner-up at Huntingdon she was beaten a long way.
Fingers Crossed (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, every chance approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 8, 20 3/4l behind Canadian Diamond (11-8) at Sandown 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Polo The Mumm (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Mid-division, closed on inside 7th, pushed along 8th, outpaced from next, no impression on leaders after, 5th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Ballinure (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Bennachie (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, well behind 13th, pulled up before 4 out, at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Beat The Tide 66-1 (10-7) With leader, ridden and hung left before 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 10, 24l behind Drumlee Lad (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Looks Like Power (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division, jumped right 3rd, lost place 6th, well beaten 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in May.
Prince Mahler (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, driven after 4 out, not reach leaders, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 12, 17l behind Magic Mustard (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Better Days (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders early, in touch in mid-division, headway 14th, no impression on 3rd before 4 out, fell next, at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Running Wolf (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 19 1/4l behind Midnight Gem (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Guanciale 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 4 out, ridden and ran on, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Lake Chapala (11-6) by 7l, 4 ran.
Texas Forever (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, mistake 9th, some headway when not fluent next, mistake 11th, soon weakened, pulled up after 3 out, at Towcester 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Bestwork (FR) 15-8fav (11-4) Tracked leader, lost place 5 out, tailed off and pulled up, at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Midnight Folie 8-1 (10-13) Close up, headway 12th, left 2nd 3 out and chased clear winner, blundered last, 2nd of 8, 18l behind Prettylittlething (10-5) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Detour Ahead 16-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway to track leaders before 6 out, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 10, dist behind Definite Ridge (11-4) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
