Zanstra landed a novices' handicap at Huntingdon in good style but couldn't quite defy a 6lb rise at Kempton on slightly softer ground. It will be a surprise if he's not involved in the finish but CHARLIE COOK may have his measure. The seven-year-old has been making steady progress over hurdles and ran his best race to date when runner-up at Doncaster last month. He could have done without a 4lb rise but looks progressive enough to overcome the extra. Wintered Well looked a smart prospect a couple of years ago and showed he was no back number with a good run at Huntingdon last month so he's another who should get into the action. Itsnowcato hasn't had much luck since landing a Plumpton maiden in November though looks to have plenty of weight but if Dubh Eile can return to the kind of form she showed when completing a double last spring then she would have every chance if the ground dries out.
Itsnowcato 5-1 (11-9) Led until 4th, led again next, mistake 4 out, ridden and headed after next, soon weakened, pulled up before 2nd last, at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Lava Lamp (GER) 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, driven and one pace when fell 4 out, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Dubh Eile (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 12th of 14, dist behind Baron Alco (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Charlie Cook (IRE) 5-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, ridden before last, every chance run-in, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 18, 2 1/4l behind Mccabe Creek (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Vaillant Creek (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Mainly jumped right, led, ridden 3 out, headed approaching next, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 27l behind Minella Daddy (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 7f (4) sft in Jan.
Zanstra (IRE) 7-4fav (11-11) Prominent, led 3 out, pressed 2 out, headed before last, stayed on same pace flat, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Malibu Rock (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Badgers Cove (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Made all, driven clear before 2 out, comfortably, won at Kempton 3m hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Mic Aubin (10-6) by 3l, 7 ran.
Fishing Bridge (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up behind, hampered 4 out, not recover, pulled up before next, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Moss On The Mill 12-1 (11-4) Disputed lead after 1st, lost place after 4 out (usual 5 out), weakened 3 out, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Howaboutnever (11-7) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Seymour Star 9-1 (11-0) Prominent, not fluent 1st, challenged 7th, stayed on same pace and beaten before 2 out, 3rd of 7, 7 1/4l behind Ashford Wood (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Wintered Well (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway after 7th, 6th 3 out, went 3rd after 2 out, stayed on same pace and no impression on front pair, 3rd of 14, 7 1/4l behind Abricot De L'oasis (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Romeo Is Bleeding (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway 6th, 4th and no impression when mistake 3 out, well beaten after, 5th of 10, 15 1/2l behind Fishing Bridge (11-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Crowd Control (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Chased leaders on outside, lost place 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out (usual 3 out), at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) hvy in Feb.
Mighty Leader (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, no impression from next, 7th of 13, 12 1/4l behind Abricot De L'oasis (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Pink Tara 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, driven and one pace 3 out, weakened from next, 5th of 12, 20 1/2l behind Timon's Tara (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Agreement (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders on outside, ridden before 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 11, dist behind Harley Rebel (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
