Several with decent claims in a tricky puzzle to unravel. Christopher Wood takes a big drop in class and Faire Part Sivola was unlucky against subsequent winner Calva D’Auge at Wincanton. Our Power is a past course and distance winner who only weakened on the run-in over a longer trip at Kempton on Boxing Day. Applesandpierres is in the veteran stage now but has won two of his last three while Baracalu, Scorched Earth and Waterproof are others worth a market check. BLACK PIRATE can make it 3-3 over hurdles and 5-6 under Rules as he makes his handicap debut under the in-form Brian Hughes.
Christopher Wood (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened soon after, 9th of 11, dist behind Epatante (11-6) at Newbury 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Nov.
Faire Part Sivola (FR) 6-4 (11-8) Chased winner, challenged 2 out, every chance run-in, kept on gamely, just held close home, 2nd of 17, hd behind Calva D'Auge (11-8) at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) sft in Jan.
Our Power (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders before next, kept on same pace in 3rd at the last, 3rd of 16, 11 3/4l behind Honest Vic (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Black Pirate 5-4 (11-10) Prominent, ridden to lead narrowly bypassing omitted last, hard pressed, held on, won at Kelso 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Ebony Jewel (11-10) by nk, 13 ran.
Red Tornado (FR) 40-1 (11-1) Raced keenly tracking leaders, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden and outpaced 2 out, plugged on run-in, 4th of 8, 11 1/4l behind Blu Cavalier (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Applesandpierres (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Held up in rear but in touch, headway after 3 out, led after last, hard driven, ran on, won at Leicester 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Ardmayle (11-1) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Baracalu (FR) 5-2 (11-5) Led until after 3rd, led again before 3 out, easily, won at Leicester 2m (4) hvy in Jan beating Percy (11-6) by 15l, 6 ran.
Scorched Earth (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, pushed along and headway on inside before 3 out, chased leaders before next, 4th and one pace run-in, 4th of 17, 6 1/2l behind Mister Coffey (11-5) at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Waterproof 12-1 (10-7) Close up, hit 5th, led 2 out, ridden and headed approaching approaching last when left clear, won at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) gs in Jan beating Eva's Diva (10-12) by 15l, 9 ran.
