Hill Fort went up an incredible 16lb for an easy victory here in December and not surprisingly was unable to cope. He's been dropped a couple of pounds to a more realistic mark and, with his rider's claim to aid his cause, can get into contention. Rafafie landed a minor handicap at Ffos Las in May 2014 and was having his first start since last March when narrowly beaten in this grade at Wincanton last month. He still looks on a fair mark but was scheduled to run yesterday at Taunton. CAPE CASTER has been racing at a decent level and hasn't been beaten far in handicaps at Sandown and Cheltenham recently. He should make a bold bid, though Guantoshol showed his first sign of ability over timber at Wincanton and makes his handicap debut from a very lowly mark. Isaac Bell completed a double in Class 4 handicaps and didn't run at all badly when stepped up two grades at Newbury so should carry his big weight with distinction.
Isaac Bell (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Held up behind in touch, went 4th approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with leaders, 4th of 6, dist behind One Track Mind (11-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Faerie Reel (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Raced wide, tracked leaders, dropped to rear after 6th, hit next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Cape Caster (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden approaching last, stayed on same pace flat, 5th of 14, 5l behind Solstice Star (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Beatabout The Bush (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, shaken up after 3 out, weakened quickly, last of 9, dist behind Template (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Degooch (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 18, 11 1/4l behind Mccabe Creek (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Hill Fort 5-1 (11-10) In touch, hit 3rd, outpaced before 3 out, hit next, soon ridden, kept on flat, went 4th towards finish, never reached leaders, 4th of 15, 5 3/4l behind Hear The Chimes (11-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
King Muro 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, 3rd 2 out, soon switched right, beaten last, no extra flat, 3rd of 17, 9 1/4l behind Kings Bayonet (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Blackfire (FR) 15-2 (10-13) Not fluent 1st, held up towards rear, well beaten after 5th, 9th of 11, dist behind Tara Flow (11-1) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Noble Galileo (GER) 20-1 (11-12) Held up in 5th, not fluent 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, dist behind Argot (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Eddiemaurice (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, stayed on same pace approaching last, 4th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Floresco (10-13) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Guantoshol (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway before 2 out, ridden to chase winner last, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Unison (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) hvy in Feb.
Political Quiz 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, well beaten next, 6th of 16, 28 1/2l behind Expedite (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Rafafie 11-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, mistake last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Floresco (10-13) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.