Brassick bids to overcome a penalty incurred when winning by half-a-length on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon last month. Tick Tocker only found one too good at Sedgefield last month while Walkabout Creek was second to The Mumper over C&D in his first race over timber and is another open to improvement. KING OF THE WOLDS was no match for Eduard at Newcastle last month but the victor is held in high regard and Malcolm Jefferson's bumper winner will have learned from the experience. He gets a tentative vote as Squire Trelawney may not have beaten much in a bumper last month and Dalavar disappointed at Uttoxeter.
Brassick 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, slow 4 out, led before 2 out,strongly challenged when mistake last, kept on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Present View (10-12) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Bernardelli (IRE) 11-4fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, went 3rd over 2f out, kept on same pace, lost 3rd place towards finish, 4th of 9, 16l behind Dante's Frolic (9-7) at Ayr 2m NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Dalavar (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, some headway 6th, weakened before next, tailed off, 5th of 10, well behind Coneygree (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Honeypot Lane 40-1 (10-11) Towards rear, some headway after 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 15, 36l behind Woodpole Academy (11-0) at Newcastle 2m NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) hvy.
King Of The Wolds (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led, headed 4 out, kept on from 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 18l behind Eduard (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Oscar O'scar (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, kept on and one pace from last, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Ma Filleule (10-5) at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Squire Trelawney 40-1 (11-1) Held up, pushed along and struggling 6f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, led close home, won at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) sft in Nov beating Ballinvarrig (11-4) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Tick Tocker (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, led last, edged right flat, headed final 100 yards, held close home, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Vuvuzela (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Vintage Times (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent and went right 1st, mistake next, left 2nd when mistake 3rd, not fluent 4th, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Grate Fella (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Nov.
Walkabout Creek (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Close up, ridden to lead and hit 2 out, headed briefly last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind The Mumper (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Alistorm 25-1 (10-4) Behind final 10f, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Squire Trelawney (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) sft in Nov.
