Both Freedom Flying and Wandering Mistral have to be players in this Selling Handicap Hurdle if they come here instead of heading to Sedgefield but even with their participation we prefer NORMAN BECKETT, who comes from a yard with a fantastic strike rate at this track. That success percentage is over 50% for trainer Jim Best and he has a decent chance of extending that with the selection. On the whole he is a consistent performer and shaped well on his return from a lengthy break last time. He should benefit for that run and looks off a light looking mark. Tim Vaughan also has a good record here so if Wandering Minstral rocks up he has a good chance at getting involved after a promising debut for the Welsh trainer. Freedom Flying won a similar race on his last effort but won't want anymore cut in the ground and Split The Wind is also worth noting after a couple of solid starts. Not a great race to start but it could be a good opportunity for Norman Beckett to score.
Norman Beckett 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, outpaced when mistake 3 out, rallying when switched left approaching last, no impression flat, 6th of 13, 7l behind Isintshelovely (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Split The Wind (USA) 7-1 (10-0) Tracked leader until 3rd, remained close up, ridden and hit 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Mickmacmagoole (11-10) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gd.
Hazy Oaks 16-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, blundered 5th, weakened from 9th, pulled up before 3 out, tailed off, in a race won by Jim Tango (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gs, 9 ran.
Space Pirate 9-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, jumped left, ridden after 4th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 8, 38l behind Classic Dream (10-4) at Hereford 2m 1f sell (5) sft.
Freedom Flying 4-1 (11-1) Mid-division, reminders 3rd, took closer order 5th, challenged approaching 2 out, led before last, ridden and kept on flat, won at Hexham 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Nov beating Rexmehead (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Just Waz (USA) 13-2 (10-12) Mid-division, reminders approaching 7th, never on terms, 6th of 14, 40l behind One Cool Day (11-5) at Southwell 2m 5f sell hdl (5) gd in May.
Home She Goes (IRE) 200-1 (10-4) Led, hit 6th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakend, 5th of 14, well behind Bobby Ewing (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Wandering Minstral 5-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, good headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, chased winner approaching next, kept on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Posh Emily (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Nov.
Silver Prophet (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Prominent main group, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, no impression from next, 5th of 8, 7l behind Wednesdays Boy (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Mycenean Prince (USA) 50-1 (11-0) Chased leaders to 3rd, pushed along 4th, soon hanging right and ridden, no chance after 7th, last of 10, well behind Canni Thinkaar (10-3) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Noble Edge 200-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 7th of 16, 27l behind Mizen Raven (10-12) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul '08.
Shadrack (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Led and clear to 4 out, headed next, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 16, well behind Quantitativeeasing (11-0) at Newcastle 2m NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) gs in Nov.
Matinee Idol 66-1 (9-12) Keen, close up, led 3rd, headed soon 4th, ridden and weakened next, last of 6, 50l behind Mickmacmagoole (11-10) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gd.
Finnegans Rainbow 28-1 (9-7) Mid-division, lost place 7th, soon behind, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Petroglyph (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
